Justin Mackenzie; Dinos Communications

CALGARY – Three goals in less than four minutes early in the third period lifted the University of Alberta Golden Bears to a 4-1 victory over the University of Calgary Dinos Friday night at Father David Bauer Arena.

Jayden Hary, Cole Sanford, and Luke Philp scored 3:18 apart to break a 1-1 deadlock after 40 minutes. Steven Owre had Alberta's first tally on the power play in the second period, while Mitch Cook notched the Dinos' lone marker less than four minutes into the contest.

Calgary captain Dylan Busenius, who was celebrated during the pregame festivities during senior night along with Cain Franson, was eager to change the narrative from what happened last time these two teams clashed, coming up with a massive block early on.

The first goal of the contest didn't take long to materialize. The puck found its way out of a battle in the right corner to Mitch Cook who snuck one short side on Zach Sawchenko for his seventh of the season.

The Dinos offense continued to press first on the power play, then on a great chance for Coda Gordon, who was looking at an open net only to be robbed by the right pad of the Golden Bears' goaltender. In the other cage, Matthew Greenfield looked good making all nine saves in the frame, including a save off a slap shot when the puck found an open Alberta man in front of the Calgary net.

The second frame started off on the slower sides as both teams were playing a chess match while exchanging scoring chances but unable to find anything.

The difference in the second came from an Alberta powerplay that didn't take long to capitalize on. Off the initial draw in the Dinos zone, Trevor Cox was able to find Steven Owre standing inside the Dinos crease for the easy tap in to tie it at one.

As the power plays continued for Alberta, the only other chance in the frame came on a shot from the slot that Greenfield was able to come out and face to keep the game from tilting in the Golden Bears favour.

Sawchenko settled in after letting a weak one past him early, stopping 10 of 11 shots going into the final frame.

The final period started with two back-to-back breakaway chances for Riley Sheen but was unable to capitalize and give his team the lead. Alberta took the two mistakes by Sheen and made the Dinos pay when Hart buried a goal off a left pad rebound from Greenfield to take their first lead of the game.

Getting the leading goal seemed to ignite the best offence in the league. A streaking Sanford was able to beat the Dinos goalie to the puck for an easy put home followed shortly by Philp burying a one timer to make the lead 4-1.

"We just kind of let the game get away from us in the third," Busenius said of his team's effort, "but we have to regroup and head to Edmonton tomorrow to try and get a win

The two teams will do battle again tomorrow in Edmonton at Clare Drake Arenas for the final game of the Canada West season starting at 7 p.m.

-UC-

Photo by David Moll