CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos women's hockey team defeated the University of Regina Cougars 4-3 Saturday afternoon at Father David Bauer Arena to earn themselves a weekend sweep and extend their win streak to five games.

The win gives the Dinos some warmly welcomed points as the regular season is quickly coming to an end and puts them at a 11-8-3 record, while Regina falls to a 3-18-1 record to close off the weekend. 

The Dinos started the contest playing a clinical offensive game, making the right plays and getting to the net, but also showed up defensively when the Cougars attacked. 

Calgary even had a shorthanded two-on-one play with veteran defender Dana Wood and second-year forward Brette Kerley driving for the net, but were unable to capitalize on the opportunity. 

However, at the 13:49 mark of the first frame, Calgary's veteran defender Emily Hill sent a slap shot from the point towards the net and her teammate rookie forward Sydney Mercier tipped it in to give their team a 1-0 lead. 

The Cougars finally got on the scoreboard in the second frame on a power play with a scramble in front of the Dinos net, with Paige Hubbard finding the puck and finishing it.

Just under two minutes later and riding her scoring wave, Hubbard sent an absolute snipe top shelf to give her team a lead after two frames. 

The third frame saw tight back-and-forth action between the opponents, which included aggressive plays from both teams.  

Nevertheless, with some four-on-four action, the Dinos tied up the match with Mercier scoring her second of the night by weaving between the defence and putting the puck in the back of the net with just under 11 minutes left to play.

Mercier continued to have a great showing, earning herself a hat trick by picking up the puck after a sideline scramble in the Cougar zone and giving the Dinos a 3-2 lead at the 13:24 mark of the third.

The late offensive rush continued for Calgary, with Alli Borrow circling around in the Cougar zone and finding Rebecca Clarke, who was in front of the net and simply had to tap the puck in to make it 4-2 with less than two minutes left.

The Cougars were determined to close the scoring difference and battle until the last whistle was blown, as proven by Shaylee Scraba scoring with 18 seconds left on the clock to make it 4-3.

Dinos netminder Gabriella Durante stayed busy all game and notched 27 saves in the win, while Regina goalie Arden Kliewer made 16.

"It was really awesome scoring a hat trick, I can't thank my team enough for helping me to contribute to the win. Overall, it wasn't our best game, but we had the energy to come back in the third and that's all that really mattered," rookie forward Sydney Mercier said. "I am super excited for the Saddledome game next week. It's going to be my first one so I'm looking forward to it."

The Dinos are back in action next week for the Crowchild Classic against hometown rivals Mount Royal at the Scotiabank Saddledome Friday afternoon. Puck drops at 4 p.m. They will also be back on home ice Saturday for a follow up matchup at Father David Bauer Arena at 6 p.m. 

The Cougars will head back home next week to take on the University of Alberta Pandas. Puck drops at 7 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday. 

-UC-