LETHBRIDGE, AB – Senior forward Andrew Courtney's third period hat trick propelled the Lethbridge Pronghorns to a crucial 5-2 win over the UBC Thunderbirds. He scored twice in the opening four minutes of the period to provide the Horns with some breathing room and completed the hat trick, scoring into an empty net.
Both teams knew what was at stake heading into the weekend and that every point will be crucial heading down the stretch in the ultra tight Canada West Conference. This situation led to a high tempo, hard hitting affair. At the start of Friday night's action 10 points separated first and sixth in the conference, and with the Horns' win it tightens the conference even more.
The Horns improve to 8-8-4 and move within two points of the fifth place T-Birds but remain four points behind the Saskatchewan Huskies, after the Huskies downed the Calgary Dinos in Saskatoon.
After weathering an early UBC storm, the 'Horns were first to light the lamp. Former Everett Silvertip Dan Iwanski kept the puck on a 2-on-1, faking the shot and sliding it under a sprawling
Jordan White.
While shorthanded, 'Horns defender Ryan Letts sprung Nick Hotson on a partial break and he rifled a shot high glove side to double the Horns lead. Hotson had another superb chance to extend the Horns lead, also while shorthanded but White turned away the breakaway chance, closing the five-hole.
Shots in the opening frame favoured the Horns 17-10.
The hard hitting fast paced game continued into the second period, but it wasn't until the final five minutes of the period before anyone would hit the scoreboard again. While on a power play,
Justin McCrae picked up a juicy rebound and beat a down and out Horns netminder Scott Bowles to cut the Horns lead in half.
Before the ice was even dry in the third period, Courtney struck for his first, deflecting a point shot from Andrew Marshall to regain the Horns' two goal lead. The Horns found themselves on a power play four minutes later. Twenty-three seconds into the power play, Courtney struck again, collecting a rebound at the side of the net and ripping it over White to make it 4-1.
Just when it looked like the Horns would run away a much needed victory, Brennen Sonne brought the T-Birds back within two off another long rebound with more than ten minutes to play. Courtney scored with time running out into an empty net to complete the hat trick and seal the victory.
Bowles finished the night with 29 saves and White turned aside 31 Pronghorn shots.
The re-match is set for 6:00 p.m. PT in Lethbridge on Saturday.
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