Pronghorns women rebound against Cougars

HOCKEY TEAM EDGES REGINA 3-2 FOR A WEEKEND SPLIT

The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns women’s hockey team regrouped, clicked on the powerplay, found the back of the net, and most importantly, found the win column.

The Horns edged the Regina Cougars 3-2 during Canada West action Saturday afternoon at Nicholas Sheran Arena to salvage a weekend split.

Coming off another onegoal, shutout loss Friday night, Pronghorns veteran Tricia Van Vaerenbergh scored her fourth goal of the season midway through the third period that snapped a 1-1 tie before Kyra Greig scored on a two-man advantage with a little under five minutes to go for what stood up as the winner as the Pronghorns improved to 5-71-1 on the season and avenged a 1-0 loss to the Cougars Friday night.

At the other end, Horns goaltender Jessica Lohues earned her first win, kicking out 28 shots, including an inclose chance with about 30 seconds to go with the Cougars down 3-2 and pressing six-on-four with a late-game powerplay and the extra attacker. “Tonight was great response from yesterday, because we challenged them,” said Pronghorns head coach Michelle Janus. “We know we can be a better team. We were still a little bit sloppy on approaches and some of the passing. But for the most part the systems went well today. We were getting goals. We’ve struggled of late to score, especially in clutch situations.” The Cougars held a 1-0 lead after the first period that stayed intact until late in the second when Pronghorn Denzelle Bourgeois scored her first of the year to knot the score at 1-1 after 40 minutes. Midway through the third, Van Vaerenbergh went top shelf for a 2-1 Horns lead. “We rely on her heavily in a lot of areas,” said Janus of Van Vaerenbergh. “She worked really hard last year and probably didn’t get as many points as she deserved and right now it’s starting to come through for her. We try to put her out in situations where she’s going to find success and hopefully she comes through. But she seems to shoot the puck at the right times and she’s been having a little quicker release as of late. So that’s nice.” Shortly afterward, Lethbridge was afforded a two-man advantage and took advantage as Greig stuffed home a rebound for a 3-1 lead. The Cougars went on the power play with two minutes to go and pulled netminder Morgan Baker for a six-on-four advantage and pulled within one 10 seconds into the powerplay.

But the visitors late charge fell just short as the Horns held on for the win and Lohues’ first decision.

“She came up clutch for us today, she’s a great goalie,” said Janus. “We haven’t had the chance to put her in this year. Alicia (Anderson) has stood on her head and been hands-down, lights out. In response to yesterday’s effort we felt Lohues has been working really hard and deserves a chance to get in, and why not? She came up big and made some timely saves and earned that win.”

Van Vaerenbergh noted the difference between Saturday’s outing and Friday’s effort.

“I feel like the difference between today and yesterday was we just wanted it more,” she said. “Yesterday it just seemed like we were fighting the puck a little bit. Today we just got together and worked five-on-five and our powerplay.”

Greig’s game-winner was also a big one for the man advantage.

“It was really important because we were fighting with our confidence on our powerplay (Friday) and today we came into the rink early and talked about it, tried to find a game plan.”

In the men’s game, the Horns were denied the sweep in Regina, dropping a 5-2 decision to the Cougars that puts the team at 4-9-1-0 and snaps a three-game winning streak.

Dallas Valentine and Justin Valentino, both on the power play that went 2-for-5, scored for Lethbridge. Taylor Fisher had two assists.

Pronghorns goaltender Garret Hughson made 35 saves in the loss.

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