CALGARY – The Calgary Dinos exploded for three goals in the final seven minutes to break open an otherwise tight affair, beating the Lethbridge Pronghorns by a score of 5-2 on Friday night at Father David Bauer Arena in Calgary.
BOX SCORE
Tyler Swystun would net the winner for the Dinos, converting his chance off of an initial blocked shot, before Aaron Richards added an insurance marker, taking advantage of a loose puck in front of Pronghorns goaltender Scott Bowles to deflate the visitors for good. Brock Nixon would add a late empty net strike from the blue line.
The final Husky-WHL Grad of the Month for 2010, goaltender Dustin Butler, started off shaky on Friday night in net for the Dinos, letting the first Lethbridge shot of the game past him only three and a half minutes in. Nicholas Hotson took credit for the goal, earning his fifth of the season and the early lead for Lethbridge.
Calgary would find success on the penalty kill before the end of the first period, where Colton Grant turned a positive neutral zone touch into a two-on-one opportunity for himself and Torrie Wheat. Sliding the puck perfectly onto his teammate's stick, Grant picked up his third assist of the season as Wheat blasted the puck over the shoulder of Bowles to tie the game.
The second period provided two more goals, with the visitors striking first yet again. Daniel Iwanski took advantage of a fortuitous rebound off of the chest of Dustin Butler, sliding it past the stick side of the third year goaltender. Playing catch up once again, Calgary would answer back with Jerrid Sauer jamming home a short Swystun feed amongst a crowded crease.
Dustin Moore would get a terrific chance to put Lethbridge up in the third period, drawing a penalty on the breakaway and thus earning a free shot. Using a beautiful right-to-left move, the fourth year Captain got Butler well out of position, but couldn't avoid the netminders' outstretched stick, which sent it off the netting.
With the outstanding save, Butler gave his team the momentum it needed, as all three of Calgary's third period goals followed the penalty shot.
Richards, who returned to the ice after a semester away, had six shots to go along with his late goal in a terrific debut to the 2010-11 season. Walker Wintoneak, a newcomer by way of the Missouri Mavericks of the CHL, added an assist on Richards' goal, and was consistent in his playmaking role throughout the evening.
Richards seemed pleased to be back, and was overall quite happy with the play of his squad.
“It feels good to be back, it always sucks not to play, especially with this being my last season,” said the Calgary native. “I think we had a bit of a let-up in the third after two solid periods, but obviously we came on at the right time with the three goals, and we're happy to take the win.”
Scott Bowles made 28 saves in the loss for Lethbridge (6-6-3), while Dustin Butler marked 16 for Calgary (8-5-2) in his fifth victory of the season. Hotson led all Pronghorns with three shots to go along with his goal.
The two teams will finish their home and home set tomorrow night at the Nicholas Sheran Arena in Lethbridge. Both teams will play host again next weekend, with the Pronghorns inviting the Alberta Golden Bears for a couple of games, while Calgary will do the same with the UBC Thunderbirds.
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