CALGARY – Some say that the two goal advantage is the worst lead in hockey. This theory held true on Saturday night in Calgary, as the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns rattled off four unanswered goals in the third to clip the University of Calgary Dinos by a score of 4-2.
BOX SCORE
Kris Snopek put the game winner past Calgary goaltender Dustin Butler just before the net came off of its moorings at 18:35, connecting on his second goal of the evening. Brian Matte would solidify the victory for the Pronghorns, making no mistake on the vacant net with Butler watching from the bench.
The Dinos came out fast and furious in the first two periods, seemingly intent on erasing the disappointment of losing the handle on a late lead in Lethbridge on Friday night. The Pronghorns answered a late goal from Aaron Richards on Friday before icing the victory with a goal in overtime.
Brock Nixon slammed home the first goal of the evening amidst a scramble in front of Lethbridge goaltender Scott Bowles, marking his ninth marker of the season. The goal preceded two glorious chances for Lethbridge to answer back in the first frame, with Mark Shefchyk and Jason Roberts both missing on opportunities in front of wide open nets.
A hard hitting, chippy game from the get-go, both teams had a knack for finding the penalty box throughout the evening, each taking ten minor penalties in the match. However both teams' penalty kill units fared reasonably well, with Calgary being the only squad finding a power play goal.
Brett O'Malley rifled one from the point past Bowles on the man advantage midway through the second period, giving Calgary the 2-0 lead. Calgary did have a 5-3 situation for over a minute and thirty seconds late in the middle period, but let the golden opportunity slip away.
After being outshot 27-14 through two periods, Lethbridge found the antidote to Calgary's pressure in the third period, employing the defensive trap in an attempt to create turnovers and gain steam. Lethbridge held Calgary to a meagre six shots in the final stanza, with none of them posing any significant threat.
After Snopek put the 'Horns on the board just three minutes into the third, it was Mike Wuchterl who was able to knot the game up at two at the fourteen minute mark, slapping a one-timer past an outstretched Butler. Wuchterl proved his worth both in scoring, adding on assist on both of Snopek's goals to go along with his fifth of the campaign, and as an antagonizer, taking numerous big hits while mixing it up with a variety of Dinos throughout the evening.
Butler made 18 saves on 21 shots faced. Bowles made an impressive 31 of 33 saves in his sixth victory of the season.
With the weekend sweep, Lethbridge will travel to UBC next week to face the Thunderbirds, who split with the second place Manitoba Bisons in Winnipeg this weekend.
Calgary will need to put their recent four game slide to rest quickly, as they will host the Bisons in a critical series which has big implications at the top of Canada West. Both games go at 7 p.m. at Father David Bauer Arena.
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