Max Sturley, Dinos Communications
CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos made it three consecutive games shutting out the opposition, defeating the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns for the weekend sweep, 5-0 Friday evening at the Father David Bauer Arena.
Dinos goaltender Matthew Greenfield collected his fourth shutout of the season, making 16 saves in the victory.
After controlling the majority of the opening frame, the Dinos were able to cash in thanks to a goalie interference infraction by Pronghorns forward Torrin White.
Late in the period on their third power play of the game, Chris Rauckman tapped home a backdoor feed from Jake Kearley, completing a crisp passing play to open the scoring. For the first time in 2019, the Dinos scored outside of the third period, as their previous six markers to start the New Year came in the final frame.
Greenfield was sharp through the opening 20, stopping all 7 shots he faced, including a one-timer from the low slot, getting across to deny Connor Sanvido of his fourth goal of the season. The score remained with the Dinos up by one heading into the second.
Five minutes in, Dinos forward Matt Alfaro doubled the lead. Alfaro capped off a golden opportunity from linemate Coda Gordon, as he wired home the rebound past an outstretched Hughson.
"My line has been doing well keeping the puck in the zone," said Alfaro on his goal.
"I know the team needs me to contribute in the offensive end, so it's big for our line and big for our team."
Three minutes later, the Dinos extended their lead to three. Defender Jake Kearley danced into the right circle before whipping a back-hand pass across the ice to Mitch Cook, who one-timed the puck past Hughson, good for his fifth of the season.
Heading into the third, the Dinos dominance continued. Graham Black notched his second goal of the campaign, starting from his own zone before creating a breakaway chance where he sniped a shot over the shoulder of Hughson to make it 4-0.
"I'm just happy that we were able to get some separation there in the third period," said Black on his marker.
"If they score the first one in the third, then it's a brand new game, so I'm happy it helped our team come away with a flawless victory."
A minute later, Coda Gordon provided the icing on the cake for the Dinos. After a Dane Gibson point shot, Gordon used the backhand to bury a third rebound off Hughson, extending the Dinos lead to five.
Lethbridge was held to just two shots on goal in the third period, as the Dinos cruised to 5-0 stomping of the Pronghorns.
The Dinos outshot the Pronghorns 40-16, and completed the season sweep in the process, winning all four contests this season by a total margin of 14-1.
Next weekend, Lethbridge will host the Saskatchewan Huskies, while the Dinos will travel to Vancouver to take on the UBC Thunderbirds.
-UC-