CALGARY – With playoff positioning at stake, the University of Regina Cougars bounced back with a 2-1 victory over the University of Calgary Dinos, Saturday afternoon at the Father David Bauer Arena. With the victory, the Cougars took sole position of the last playoff spot in Canada West.
The Cougars jumped on the Dinos early, as Lilla Carpenter-Boesch scored just 21 seconds into the game. On a 2-on-1 rush, Kylee Kupper fed Carpenter-Boesch, who fooled Dinos netminder Kelsey Roberts, going five-hole to make it 1-0.
Shortly after, Emma Waldenberger wired a wrister past Roberts, but couldn't beat the crossbar, as the lead stayed at one.
By the end of the first period, the Dinos outshot the Cougars 9-6, with Lumley, Delaney Frey and Chelsea Court all having quality looks. While they controlled play the majority of the period, the Dinos stayed down by a goal heading into the second.
The second period started off with a scare as Martina Maskova barreled into Kelsey Roberts following a Laine Grace trip. Fortunately for both sides, both players stayed in the game. Grace was assessed a tripping penalty on the play.
Promptly on the 5-on-4 advantage, Kupper lead a mini 2-on-1 rush, but defender Paige Michalenko blocked the pass across, allowing Roberts to cover up on the scramble.
Near the end of the period, Rylee Smith was given a golden opportunity to tie the game. After leading the forecheck to steal the puck, Smith misfired on a shot in tight, which gave Cougars keeper Morgan Baker enough time to slide across, making her toughest save of the game.
At the end of the period, the Dinos remained down by a goal, but thanks to a Cougars penalty, they started the final frame on the power play.
Unable to capitalize on the power play, the Dinos responded quickly after the penalty expired. From the left point,
Georgina Williams hammered a slap shot through traffic, beating Cougars netminder Morgan Baker on the glove side.
For Williams, playing in her 100th career game, picked up her first career goal as a Dino, expressed relief when burying the tying goal.
"It honestly felt so good," Williams said. "I've been getting made fun of a bit because it has been so long, but the whole has been rooting for me to get one, so it's nice to finally get it."
With the game tied, it was the Cougars snatching back the lead with less than five minutes to go, Carpenter-Boesch picked up her second tally of the game on a rebound chance in tight, making it 2-1.
Despite a final push, the Dinos were unable to tie the game, as the Cougars snuck by with a 2-1 victory.
Prior to the game, the Dinos honoured graduating forward
Kate Lumley. Lumley, who played in her 135th game as Dino, was emotional following the final buzzer.
"I was trying to not think about what was to come, so I just tried to stick to my routine," she said.
When asked about memorable moments, Lumley highlighted her experience at the 2016 National Championships.
"Coming fifth at nationals in my third year. It was one of the best teams I've played on; the aftermath of that last game was probably the most memorable."
Dinos head Coach
Danielle Goyette spoke highly of Lumley, praising her post-game.
"135 games just shows how much she takes care of herself on and off the ice," Goyette said. "She's been a great team mate for the girls. She is the kind of person that has taken care of everyone off the ice."
Regina will host Lethbridge next weekend, will the Dinos will close out their regular season on the road against the Manitoba Bisons.
