CALGARY – A strong second half effort and stellar defensive play was not enough for the Calgary Dinos, as they tied the University of Alberta Pandas, 0-0. Sunday afternoon's tie puts the Dinos officially out of playoff contention, and advances the Pandas to the CIS national tournament.

After a first half where neither team put forth much offensive pressure, it was the Dinos who took control in the second half. Knowing that leaving the field with a tie would not help them, Calgary consistently pushed the ball into the Alberta zone, setting up numerous short corner opportunities. The Pandas got great defensive efforts in the clutch however, and successfully kept the Dinos off the scoresheet.

Rookie Dinos goalie Stephanie Petrowitsch (Calgary) had an excellent afternoon, where she consistently stymied different Panda rushes and was able to stone an Alberta penalty shot late in the second half. Midfielder Serena Lockhart (1st, Cobble Hill, BC) and forward Heather Bain (1st, Calgary) were both solid for the Dinos as well on Sunday.

Alberta received good efforts from their veterans, as Polly Duncan-Webb (5th, Edmonton) and Dilraj Bal (4th, Kelowna) consistently disrupted the Dinos flow throughout the game, and provided the Pandas with sparks at key times. Panda goaltender Tory Spencer (1st, Bedford, NS) was very solid in net, seeming unperturbed by the second half Calgary pressure.

The Pandas can now breathe a bit easier as they have earned the final Canada West invitation to CIS nationals. They travel to UBC next weekend to finish the regular season.

The Dinos, whose fate has now been decided, will be looking to close out the season on a positive note. They travel to Victoria next weekend to play the second place Vikes, who are looking to jockey for playoff position.

-UC-