CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos will be in tough against the Canada West-leading Alberta Pandas, with a home-and-home split this weekend.
 
The first of two games will be played at the Father David Bauer Arena on Friday, Nov. 23 at 7 p.m., followed by a trip up north to the Clare Drake Arena on Saturday, Nov. 24 for a 7 p.m. puck drop.
 
Entering the home-and-home split, the Pandas have won six games in a row, while the Dinos have dropped their last three.
 
DOUBLE TAP
The Pandas have scored 34 times so far this season, just two tallies behind Manitoba for the Canada West lead. Alberta is led by a pair of fourth-year forwards in Autumn MacDougall and Alex Poznikoff, who both have 18 points apiece, are tied for the Canada West scoring lead. Between MacDougall and Poznikoff, they have scored 15 times including six of them being game winning goals.
 
GOALTENDING BY COMMITTEE
Unlike the Dinos who rely heavily on Kelsey Roberts in net, the Pandas have three goalies sharing the load which has proven to be very effective. Between Halle Oswald, Kirsten Chamberlin and Dayna Owen, the three goaltenders have a combined save percentage of .957 and a goals against average of 0.65. Opposing teams have scored just eight times against Alberta so far this season, which is the lowest goals against total in Canada West, seven goals fewer than the second lowest Saskatchewan Huskies who have allowed 15.
 
QUOTABLE
"The pace has been high and we've been moving the puck really well," said Dinos captain Paige Michalenko after practice on Tuesday. "We know [Alberta] has a lot of speed, so we've been working on our D-zone a bit and just tightening that up. I think we have a really good chance to steal some points this weekend."
 
Michalenko also commented on Roberts, emphasizing her importance to the team in every game.
 
"She's one of the strongest leaders on this team and everybody really depends on her. She gets the game and understands it really well."

SCOUTING REPORT
vs. ALBERTA PANDAS
Game Info Friday, Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. (Father David Bauer Arena) and Saturday, Nov. 24 at 7 p.m. (Clare Drake Arena)
Record 8-2-2-0, 28 points, 1st in Canada West
Leading Scorer(s) Autumn MacDougall (8g, 10a) & Alex Poznikoff (7g, 11a)
 
NOTES

• The Pandas have won six consecutive games and have outscored opponents 17-3 during that span.
• Over the last five years, the Pandas have an impressive 10-1-1-0 record against the Dinos.
• Last time these teams played was Jan. 13, 2018, where the Pandas cruised to a 5-0 victory.
• After another weekend of action, Kelsey Roberts continues to lead Canada West in shots against with 356. In last Friday's double overtime loss to the Cougars, Roberts made a season-best 41 saves.
• The Pandas have six Calgary-born skaters on their roster, including goaltenders Chamberlin and Owen.

UP NEXT
Following the weekend, the Dinos will stay at home to host the Manitoba Bisons, while the Pandas will head back to Edmonton to host the Saskatchewan Huskies, with all the action kicking off on Nov. 30.