REGINA - The University of Regina Cougars men's hockey team was defeated 2-1 by the Calgary Dinos in Canada West action at The Co-operators Centre on Thursday night.
Alex Dzielski and Adam Kambeitz scored for the visitors. Rookie Zach McPhee (pictured) scored his first-career CIS goal in the loss.
Lucas Gore made 38 saves in the loss, while Kris Lazaruk stopped 32 shots for the Dinos.
Calgary wasted no time opening the scoring, as Dzielski scored his second of the season just 57 seconds in. Dzielski came up from the blue line and put a shot on net. Gore shrugged it aside but the fourth-year defenceman scooped up his own rebound behind the net and converted the wrap-around, giving the Dinos an early 1-0 lead. Kevin King collected an assist on the play.
It wasn't long before the Dinos would strike again, and Kambeitz was able to rip one past Gore from a sharp angle. The play started with King putting a shot on net from the point, but the attempt on net hit Walker Wintoneak who was attempting to screen Gore. The loose puck rolled right to Kambeitz, who was able to fire a wrist shot into the top of the net before Gore could recover.
Regina would get on the board late in the second period, thanks to McPhee's first of his Canada West career. McPhee took a centring pass from Dylen McKinlay and snapped a low shot that beat Kris Lazaruk through the five hole. Miguel Pereira also assisted on McPhee's first as a Cougar.
The Cougars had a chance to tie it before the period ended as Sanfred King sent McKinlay in on a breakaway. McKinlay faked and went to his backhand, but Lazaruk made an incredible glove save to preserve Calgary's one-goal lead heading into the third.
The Cougars had a pair of good chances to tie it in the third period, but were unable to capitalize on either. The first came as Ian McNulty sprung McKinlay on a partial breakaway, but McKinlay's backhand attempt sailed wide of the net.
The other strong scoring chance for the Cougars was by John Neibrandt, who took a feed from behind the net and one-timed a slapshot from the faceoff circle. The shot looked like it was headed to the top corner but Lazaruk made another spectacular glove save to keep it a 2-1 game.
Regina would pull Gore for the last 60 seconds of the game and had a couple shots on net, but Lazaruk stood tall and secured the win for the Dinos.
The Cougars will close their 2014-15 season on Friday night with a rematch against the Dinos. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. at The Co-operators Centre.
