Horns host Bisons for two

HORN WOMEN HAVE SERIES IN WINNIPEG

With three weeks remaining in the first semester of the Canada West schedule, the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns men’s hockey team looks to snap an eight-game losing streak when they host the Manitoba Bisons this weekend.

The teams square off tonight at 7 and Saturday at 1 p.m. at Nicholas Sheran Arena. Both games will be streamed live

“It’s a tight conference where one weekend can make the world of difference,” said Pronghorn head coach Spiros Anastas. “The schedule is difficult for everybody, but we believe we have a really good opportunity to right the ship this weekend with two games at home.

“If we come out strong over the next four to six games and string some solid performances together with good process, then all of a sudden things will look alright, but it has to be approached with a onegame-at-a-time mentality.”

This will be the first meeting of the season between the Pronghorns and Bisons, but a season ago, Manitoba won the season series, winning three of four games.

The Pronghorns (1-8-1) are six points out of the final playoff spot as they near the midway point of the season. They have scored the fewest goals in Canada West and are only averaging 1.8 goals per game while allowing the second-most against with 48.

Bisons (6-4-0) are riding a fourgame winning streak after sweeping the Mount Royal Cougars and Regina Cougars. Manitoba sports the thirdbest penalty killing unit in Canada West at 82.6 per cent and the fifth ranked power play (23.3).

Captain Mitch Maxwell continues to lead the Pronghorns in scoring and is tied for seventh in Canada West scoring with four goals and seven assists. Bisons are led by Michael St. Croix, who has registered three goals and eight assists.

Meanwhile, the Pronghorn women, coming off a solid weekend against the defending U SPORT champion Alberta Pandas, face another tough task this weekend in Winnipeg facing the nationally fourth-ranked Manitoba Bisons.

The Pronghorns and Bisons will hit the ice tonight at 6 p.m. and Saturday at noon. Both games will be streamed live on

“We are happy with last week’s results versus Alberta but expect University of Manitoba to be an equally strong opponent,” said Pronghorn head coach Michelle Janus. “Our players will need to be prepared to match speed in all three zones and compete in all one-onone battles in open ice and small space.

“Our strengths in the last few games has been in our goaltending and ability to forecheck well, eliminating our opponent’s time and space with the puck.”

Last season, the Bisons swept the season series winning all four games.

The Pronghorns will head out on the road next weekend, travelling to Regina to face the Cougars before closing the first semester with a home-and-home series with the Calgary Dinos.