BOX SCORE CALGARY – In the first half of a home-and-home set, the University of Alberta Pandas escaped with a 2-1 overtime victory over the University of Calgary Dinos on Friday night at the Father David Bauer Arena.

Throughout the game, the Dinos went back-and-forth with the Pandas, proving to be a strong opponent for one of the conference's top teams. Either side could have earned a win in regulation but ultimately it was Tess Houston who scored the game-winning goal in the extra frame.

Calgary drops to 10-11-1 on the season and remains in sixth place and the final playoff spot. After clinching a playoff spot last weekend, the Pandas earn another win and improve their mark to 14-5-3.

It was a tenacious first period from Calgary as they tried to hold off their rival. The home team did well in the opening 20 minutes with the only blemish coming off a goal by Alberta's Jessica Kampjes. With 6:30 left in the period, the second-year forward stole the puck, skated in through the middle and beat Amanda Tapp with a strong wrist shot. The tally was Kampjes' ninth of the campaign.

Like so many other teams this season, the Dinos scoring chances were limited by the Pandas. Calgary recorded six shots on Michala Jeffries in the first frame as they were unable to find the back of the net. Alberta had allowed a conference-low 26 goals in 22 contests coming into this weekend.

When Calgary had their problems beating Jeffries, Alberta lent some assistance. Off a face-off, a Panda skater attempted to rim the puck out of her own end. Instead of the puck clearing the zone through, the rubber ended up behind Jeffries to knot the game at one apiece. The goal was credited to Erika Mitschke for her fifth of the season at 5:46 of the second period.

After the goal, momentum seem to have shifted in favor of the Dinos as they went on the attack, seeking their first lead of the game. Calgary ended the period with eight shots but couldn't beat the Pandas' goaltender despite some solid chances.

An even third period resulted in no goals for either side as the game had to go beyond regulation to find a winner.

With 1:25 left in the 10-minute overtime the Pandas won the game and earned the extra point. Connecting on a shot from the hash marks, Houston potted her fifth goal of the year as she squeezed a shot through the legs of Tapp. Amy Helfrich picked up the lone assist on the game-deciding goal.

Alberta outshot Calgary in the game 32-25. The Dinos were 0-3 on the power play, while the Pandas went 0-4.

Next weekend, Calgary will welcome the Saskatchewan Huskies to the Father David Bauer Arena for a two-game set, taking place on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.

On Jan 31 and Feb. 1, the Pandas will travel south to play the Lethbridge Pronghorns in a two-game set.