BOX SCORE CALGARY- In their home opener, the University of Calgary Dinos dropped a 2-1 decision in overtime to the University of Regina Cougars on Friday night at the Father David Bauer Arena.
 
Calgary held a 1-0 lead through the majority of the game but fell short when they ran into penalty trouble, giving Regina a chance to claw back in the second and eventually win in overtime.
 
"There were a lot of picture perfect opportunities," said Dinos head coach Kelly Bechard. "We are never happy to lose but I am happy with the effort and positives in the first game."
 
In the early stages of the first period, Regina had an opportunity to open the scoring. Despite the Cougars best efforts on their power play, Amanda Tapp made a sprawling save as the puck almost trickled in as a slew of players jumped into the crease to keep the game at zero.
 
Minutes later, luck was again on the Dinos' side after having a Cougars power play goal called off due to goalie interference.
 
The Dinos came up the ice and connected near the end of the opening period on their own power play as Jayme Clark netted one from the point; thanks to passing from Janelle Parent and Sarah Astle.
 
The physicality of the game really began to make its presence in the start of the second period with the Cougars pressing hard for a goal, only to be denied by veteran goalie Amanda Tapp.
 
The Cougars finally capitalized and tied the game on their third power play of the second period. With an accurate shot, Meghan Sherven managed to beat a screened Tapp from the point at the 18:20 mark. Kylee Kupper and Tori Head picked up the assists.
 
The Dinos continued to run into penalty trouble, as they made their way right back to the penalty box after the Cougars tying goal. Regina was unable to obtain their first lead of the game though as the man advantage extended into the third period.
 
With the Dinos on the defensive side of the play for the beginning of the third, the Cougars looked to score but couldn't find the back of the net. With Tapp being drawn out of the crease without her stick, the fifth-year netminder managed to regain form in time for the penalty to come to an end. The Dinos came right back down the ice where Chelsea Peterson received a breakaway pass but was unable to get the shot past Jennifer Schmidt.
 
Midway through the final frame, Heather Berzins came down the right side to turn a Cougar defenceman inside out, only to be shut down by the solid goaltending of Schmidt. The Dinos continued to look for the game-winner but found themselves once again in the penalty box for the end of the third period. Tapp continued to show her veteran ability with a cross crease save in the dying seconds of the third to put the game into overtime.
 
The Dinos nearly ended OT with a connecting pass from Calaine Inglis to Jenna Smith who puts it off the crossbar.
 
The Cougars would end the game with a goal at the 6:04 mark with passes in front of the net by Carleen Meszaros and Stephanie Sawchuk, giving Bailey Braden the chance to slide it past Tapp.
 
"We had the puck support tonight and that's a good foundation to build from. We need to be grittier though and get pucks to the net and go for rebounds. Penalties led us to a momentum change, we saw our penalty kill work but it was a momentum drainer" explained Bechard.
 
The Dinos will play the Cougars once more tomorrow night at the Father David Bauer Arena in regular season action. Puck drop at 6 p.m.