Files courtesy of Lethbridge Sports Information
LETHBRIDGE, AB – Coming off a disappointing weekend last week, the Lethbridge Pronghorns completed a solid rebound series with a sweep of the UBC Thunderbirds courtesy a 5-1 win on Saturday night.
With the win the Horns move above .500 at 9-8-4, and trail the Calgary Dinos who were swept in Saskatoon by the Huskies, by two points for the fourth and final playoff spot. The Thunderbirds fall to 9-9-4 but remain tied with the Horns for fifth.
On their first power play opportunity, the Horns would strike. Nick Hotson found Winston Day Chief cross ice and his knuckler of a one-timer eluded UBC goaltender
Jordan White to put the Horns up 1-0.
After scoring a hat trick one night prior, Andrew Courtney was back at it, snapping a low shot post and in to put the Horns up 2-0. Despite the two goal deficit, the T-Birds held the majority of the play in the opening frame and peppered Horns netminder Scott Bowles with 13 shots. The Horns, on the other hand, made the most of their six first period shots.
Floated by four second period power plays, the Horns held a territorial advantage, but it wasn't until late in the period before they would hit pay dirt. Taylor Gal banged home a juicy rebound at the side of the net to put the Horns up three.
The T-Birds made short work of a power play almost immediately after the Horns had made it 3-0.
Max Grassi took a cross crease pass and beat an outstretched Bowles to cut the deficit to two.
It took a while but the Horns were finally able to put the T-Birds away near the midpoint of the third period. Gal scored his second of the night, keeping on a 2-on-1, beating White high glove. Luccio Pucci-Daniele closed out the scoring with just over two minutes remaining.
Bowles was once again stellar in the Horns pipes, stopping 33 of 34 T-Birds shots. White made 21 saves in the loss.
The Horns are off on a bye next week, before returning to action in two weeks time, traveling to Regina to face the Cougars. Meanwhile, the T-Birds will look to get back in the win column next week hosting the Saskatchewan Huskies.
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