Connor Hood, Golden Bears and Pandas Athletics
EDMONTON - Two goals from each Lucas Nickles and Cole Sanford powered another strong performance for the Alberta Golden Bears, as they cruised to a 6-1 victory over the Regina Cougars, Saturday night at Clare Drake Arena.
The win gives Alberta the weekend sweep over Regina, and extends their modest conference win streak to three games. Trevor Cox, and Riley Kieser also scored for the Bears, while Brendan Burke stopped 17 of the 18 shots he faced in his first game in over a month.
Tristan Frei scored the lone Regina goal of the weekend in the second period, while goalie Dawson MacAuley finished another busy performance with 54 saves on 60 shots.
In almost a duplicate of Alberta's 6-0 win on Friday, the Bears took an early lead, coupled with a stellar powerplay en route to the convincing win. Sanford opened the scoring just over two minutes in, beating MacAuley short side on the powerplay.
Cox doubled the Alberta lead with his first of the season eight minutes later, beating MacAuley with a wrister from the slot, also on the PP.
The Golden Bears continued to pepper the Regina net, as Nickles scored his first of the season late in the opening frame, extending Alberta's lead to three. Sanford capped off a dominant period with three minutes left, giving Alberta a 4-0 lead with his second of the game.
Despite being heavily outshot, the Cougars finally showed signs of life in the second. James Hilsendager's point shot was tipped by Frei in the slot, beating a helpless Burke in the Alberta net. Regina couldn't muster more offence, however, and were bogged down by a lifeless powerplay that finished the weekend 0-9.
Alberta added another 25 shots in the third period, as they thoroughly dominated the puck possession battle. Kieser scored his second of the weekend on a wrap-around late in the third, before Nickles added the insurance marker with 10 seconds left.
Alberta will take their three-game win streak on the road next weekend, as they visit the Lethbridge Pronghorns. Regina will look to get back in the win column as they host the Calgary Dinos.