Written by Benjamin Berger

REGINA - Sam McKechnie's late goal led Lethbridge to a 3-2 victory over the University of Regina men's hockey team at The Co-operators Centre on Friday evening. 

McKechnie sunk the Cougars with just a minute and four seconds left in regulation. The fourth-year forward got a few steps on a Cougar defender and beat Dawson MacAuley bar-down. Cameron Trott and Russell Maxwell assisted on the decisive goall.   

Taylor Fisher and Jordan Roy also lit the lamp for Lethbridge as the Pronghorns picked up their first win of the season. Rookies Arthur Miller and Tate Coughlin replied for Regina (0-2-1).

The Cougars and Pronghorns were locked in a defensive battle throughout the first and most of the second period until Fisher's first of the season. Connor Sanvido worked the puck out of the left corner of the Pronghorn zone to Maxwell who was streaking up the centre of the ice. As Maxwell crossed the Cougar blue he dished it across to Fisher who fired a quick wrist shot under Dawson MacAuley's blocker and into the back of the net.

Midway through the third Jeff Rayman stopped a Cougars clearing attempt and threw the puck on net. McAuley made the initial stop but Roy slapped in the rebound to put the visitors up 2-0.

Regina cut the lead in half With 7:50 left in the third, as a Pronghorns defender coughed up the puck and Arthur Miller netted his first U SPORTS goal. The rookie forward scooped up the puck and with little room to work shot it passed Garret Hughson's glove.

Regina drew even with just over a minute and a half left after Tristan Frei fired a shot on net. The rebound bounced out to  Coughlin who potted the Cougars' second goal of the night, tying the game up at 2-2 with his second of the year.

MacAuley made 28 saves in his second appearance of the season. Hughson stopped 31 shots including 17 saves in the third period.

Regina and Lethbridge will battle again on Saturday, with a 3 p.m. puck drop at The Co-operators Centre.