EDMONTON – Madison Willan scored a minute into the third, and added an earlier assist, to lead the University of Alberta Pandas to a 3-2 win over the University of Calgary Dinos on Friday night at Clare Drake Arena.

It was Alberta's third straight CW victory, and their first win against the Dinos at home since Feb. 8, 2019.

Willan was joined in the Alberta goals column by Jadynn Morden & Payton Laumbach, while Rachel Paul and Alli Borrow found mesh for the visiting Dinos.

It was a fiercely contested game from the opening faceoff, as both teams had plenty of quality scoring chances. It was a game dominated by special teams, as there were a combined nine penalties between the two squads.

The Bears kept their momentum into a late period power play, where Laumbach sniped home a shot from the slot, her second in as many games. It was assisted by Alberta leading scorers Taylor Anker and Willan.

Despite the two goals against, Calgary goalie Gabriella Durante had a good period, turning aside 11 of 13 Alberta shots on goal.

The Dinos figured out their early struggles at the break, taking control of the second period from the first whistle. They killed a penalty to start the period, and 10 minutes in Paul netted her third goal of the season.

The third period starting off with a bang, with Willan potting home a power play goal a minute in, her third of the season from Anker and Natalie Kieser. The Dinos soon responded with a tally of their own off the stick of Borrow, also her third of the season.

The last five minutes were as thrilling as you could see, with both sides trading quality chances. Calgary pulled their goalie with a minute remaining and kept Alberta on their toes defensively, however the Pandas eventually iced the game against the boards to hold on for the victory.

The Pandas return to action Saturday at 2 p.m., facing off against the other Calgary squad, the Mount Royal Cougars. The Dinos stick around in Edmonton face the MacEwan Griffins Saturday at 3:15 p.m.