Horns hockey shut out
Despite a strong road game, the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns women’s hockey team fell just short of a pair of points.
The Horns were downed 10 by the UBC Thunderbirds during Canada West action Saturday afternoon in Vancouver, capping off an 0-2 weekend following another one-goal setback Friday when the Thunderbirds pulled out a 2-1 win.
Despite the losses that put the Pronghorns at 1-4-2-0 on the season and in sixth place, head coach Michelle Janus tipped her hat to a gritty effort from her roster on the west coast road swing.
“These games are the easiest to coach,” she said. “They’re motivated and they’re going. It’s kind of rewarding as a coach to get a game like this. It’s unfortunate we didn’t take any points, but we’re improving every week. Our game is continuing to get better and the dressing room is really motivated and in good spirits.”
After the Thunderbirds took a 1-0 lead in the first period, the Horns outshot their opponents 20-13 in the final 40 minutes — including a 10-3 margin in the third — but couldn’t strike for the equalizer.
“We outshot them in the last two periods and I thought we managed ourselves really well with five minutes left in the game only down 1-0 to not take penalties and capitalize on some chances,” said Janus. “We hit a couple of posts and just a couple of unlucky bounces. But we just couldn’t find the back of net.”
The Pronghorns power play went 0-for-7 Saturday, but killed all six UBC power plays.
“I thought we played very well five-on-five,” said Janus. “Our penalty kill was outstanding today, our power play we have to work on a little more, just with the patience and poise and showing a little more deception.”
Alicia Anderson made 31 saves Saturday afternoon.
On Friday, the Horns got a shorthanded goal from Delaney Duchek late in the first period, but the Thunderbirds struck for the winner late in the second period.
“It’s nice to be scoring shorthanded instead of being the one getting scored on on the power play,” said Janus. “Not quite a strong as (Saturday). Their first goal was a power play goal. We didn’t execute the penalty kill as we planned and they took advantage of it.”
Anderson faced 41 shots in Friday’s loss.
“We had some good chances (Friday) and it’s nice to see them accepting the information we’re giving them and creating better chances with it on the second day.”
On the men’s side, the Pronghorns outshot the Thunderbirds 57-20 Saturday afternoon at Nicholas Sheran Arena, but fell 6-4 as UBC headed home with a 2-0 weekend following a 5-0 win Friday, while Lethbridge falls to 1-6-1.
Spenser Jensen, Blake Orban, Dalton Sward and Connor Sanvido scored for the Pronghorns Saturday afternoon.
Ty Edmonds got the start for Lethbridge, stopping 13 of 19 shots before Jonny Hogue came in for the last 13 minutes.
Garret Hughson got the start for the Horns Friday, kicking out 21 shots.
All of Canada West hockey is off next weekend.