CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos women's hockey team scored two third-period goals to knock off the Regina Cougars 2-1 on Friday night at Father David Bauer Arena.

In a tight battle for playoff positioning, the Dinos pick up a crucial two points and sit in fifth place in the conference standings with a 10-8-3 record. Regina falls to 3-17-1 with the defeat to open the weekend.

"It's the game you expect to play, you got a team over there that's hungry and working really hard and they forced us to up our level and we had to, so we got the opportunity to do that in the third period and that's what you want at this time of the year," Calgary head coach Carla MacLeod said. "Not scoring until the third period didn't make me anxious, it was kind of the message the whole game, that you aren't just going to get goals because you get good opportunities. 

"Staying confident and positive was really the theme of the game and trust that we can earn this win and that's what we did today." 

Within the first three minutes of the game, Calgary's Sophia Zuck took a penalty, but the Dinos proved why they are the second-best penalty kill unit in Canada West as they effectively shut the door on the Cougars.

However, just a few seconds after the penalty expired, Regina capitalized on a mishandling of the puck behind the Calgary net, leading to an easy goal for Cougars' team captain Ireland Sorestad. The goal was her first of the season.

For the rest of the first frame, the Cougars played a strong defensive game and stopped all the Dinos' attempts to get on the scoreboard, including a strong penalty kill.

The Dinos continued to be hungry for a goal going into the second period, battling hard but they could not buy a goal. 

Within the first minute of play in the third frame, Alli Borrow was afforded a clear-cut breakaway but Regina goaltender Natalie Williamson denied her on the excellent scoring chance. 

The Dinos' efforts would not go unrewarded as they finally broke through at the 8:14 mark of the third period. While shorthanded, defender Annaliese Meier set up forward Sydney Mercier, who was wide open in front of the net and went top shelf to tie the game. The goal was Mercier's fifth of the year.

Calgary quickly struck again to take the lead just a few minutes later. Borrow found herself on another breakaway and this time went five-hole to beat Williamson and net the game-winner. Borrow finished the night with two points, earning an assist to go along with her 11th goal of the season. 

Durante picked up the victory with 18 saves in the Dinos' net, while Williamson was impressive with 25 saves in the losing effort.

A rematch between the two teams will take place Saturday afternoon at Father David Bauer Arena. Puck drop is set for 3 p.m.