The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns men's and women's hockey programs will ge toe-to-toe with the University of Calgary Dinos this weekend, each team playing home-and-home series that sees them alternate games at Nicholas Sheran Arena.
Men's Hockey
It’s been a long six weeks, but the Pronghorns men’s hockey team (0-2-0) will finally skate on home ice, making a brief one game appearance in Lethbridge before embarking on another five game road swing. The ‘Horns host the CIS fourth ranked Calgary Dinos (4-0-0) Friday night in the front half of a home-and-home series. The puck drops at 7 p.m. at Nicholas Sheran Arena, with free tickets available to students at the U of L's Customer Service Desk in the 1st Choice Savings Centre.
After a bye left them idle on the opening weekend of the conference schedule, the Horns opened their Canada West season with a disappointing road trip to Regina, losing 6-0 and 5-1 to the Cougars.
Sophomore defender Tim Campbell scored the lone goal for the Horns, while goaltender Dylan Tait suffered the loss in both games.
For the fourth-ranked Dinos, the 2013 season has started perfectly, sweeping both of their series to date. After sweeping the Regina Cougars in Regina two weeks ago, the Dinos beat the UBC Thunderbirds last weekend. Through four games, the Dinos have scored 21 goals while surrendering just nine.
Pronghorn Athletics is partnering with Kid’s Sport this men’s hockey season in a campaign to raise money to support sending kids to sport camps. Kid’s Sport is the official charity of Canada West and Pronghorn Athletics will be supporting the great work Kid’s Sport does in the community by supporting a “Score for Camps” campaign this year. Building on the idea of third-year forward Cass Mappin, a donation, valueing the average cost of sending a child to camp, will be made to Kid’s Sport for every home goal scored by the Pronghorns men’s hockey team during the 2013-2014 season.
Women's Hockey
Coming off a tough home weekend last time out, the Pronghorns women’s hockey team (1-1-2) looks to rebound in their home-and-home series with the Dinos (1-2-1).
The weekend set begins Friday night in Calgary at Father David Bauer Arena with the second game going in Lethbridge Saturday night at Nicholas Sheran Arena. Puck drop for both nights is set for 7 p.m.
Last weekend, the Horns earned just a single point in their series with the CIS fifth ranked Regina Cougars, losing 5-1 and then 2-1 in a shootout. The Horns will need to shore up their defensive game if they are going to be successful this season. Through four games, the ‘Horns have allowed a league leading 14 goals against.
At the other end of the ice, the Horns have scored nine goals in four games and former Canada West rookie of the year Sadie Lensta looks to have returned to her freshman form, leading the club with two goals and an assist.
For the Dinos, they have a distinctly different look this season. Gone are head coach Danielle Goyette and Hailey Wickenheiser, both centralized with the Canadian National Team in preparation for the Sochi Winter Olympics.
In their last action, the Dinos earned a weekend split with the UBC Thunderbirds, losing 4-0 before rebounding for their first win of the season, 4-3 in a shootout.
Horns Soccer
The Pronghorns women’s soccer team (0-9-2) will conclude the 2013 season this weekend with one game on the road, traveling to Calgary to face the Dinos.
It has been a rough 2013 campaign for the Horns with only two points to show for their effort. They rank second last in goal scoring with five and third last in goal against, allowing 31.
Meanwhile, with four games remaining in the Canada West soccer schedule, the Pronghorns men’s soccer team (2-8-1) was officially eliminated from post-season contention last Sunday when the Calgary Dinos defeated the UNBC Timberwolves.
In the second to last weekend of the regular season, the Horns head out on the road to face the Fraser Valley Cascades and Victoria Vikes.
For the ‘Horns, the inability to find the back of the net will haunt this season’s squad. Of the team’s eight losses, five were by one goal, including six games where the Horns where shut out.