Vancouver, BC - The Lethbridge Pronghorns (1-6-0) earned their first victory of the season defeating the UBC Thunderbirds (1-5-1) 4-3 in double overtime Friday night at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre. Hayden Rintoul scored the game winning goal 1:53 into 3-on-3 play in double overtime.
BOX SCORE
After a tough start to the season, this was a huge missed opportunity by the Thunderbirds to pick up two points. Instead they will have to settle for the single point in a game in which they outshot the Pronghorns 48-25. Damien Ketlo was outstanding in net for the visitors, making 45 saves on the night.
Two other key factors in this game was special teams and last minute goals. The Pronghorns scored twice on the man advantage, while the Thunderbirds went 0-for-6. UBC has now given up a league worst 10 power play goals on 32 opportunities. As well, Lethbridge scored in the final minute in both the first and second period to take a one goal lead into the intermission.
"Tonight was certainly a disappointing result," said UBC head coach Milan Dragicevic. "Unfortunately we ran into a hot goaltender, but we certainly had our chances. We still need to focus on playing a full 60 minute game. Two small lapses at the end of the first two periods really hurt us."
Jessi Hilton opened the scoring for UBC 3:40 into the first period, potting his first goal of the season. Cass Mappin countered for the Pronghorns on the power play less then six minutes later. Lethbridge would get their second power play goal of the night with just 53 seconds left in the opening frame as Ryon Moser beat
Steven Stanford to put the visitors in front 2-1 through 20 minutes of play.
After firing 17 shots on net in the first period, UBC had another 16 in the second period.
Cole Wilson was finally able to convert on a two-on-one after a nice feed from
Brad Hoban to tie the game at 2-2. But once again in the final minute, in fact with 54 seconds left to be exact, Mappin was sent in alone on a breakaway and made no mistake for his second goal of the night and more importantly giving the Pronghorns a 3-2 lead after two periods.
UBC wasted little time scoring the equalizer in the third period.
Linden Saip ripped home his first of the season to make it 3-3. From there both teams clamped down defensively surrendering little to no offensive chances resulting in overtime.
After five minutes of 4-on-4 produced nothing, Lethbridge would score the winner in 3-on-3 hockey as Hayden Rintoul beat Stanford for his first of the season, giving the Pronghorns their first victory of the year. 4-3 was the final.
Lethbridge's four goals nearly double their season total. They came into the night having managed just six goals in six games. It was also the first time this season they did not allow at least four goals against.
Stanford took the loss in net for UBC allowing four goals on 25 shots.
UBC and Lethbridge will be back in action tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.
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