Arron Lai, Dinos Communications

CALGARY - After dropping their season-opener in Lethbridge, 1-0, in a double OT thriller against the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns, the University of Calgary Dinos bounced back with a big 1-0 victory on Saturday night, October 7th, at Father David Bauer Arena.

The first period was a scrappy one, with three penalties taken (two by the Dinos, and one by the Pronghorns). Aside from the physical play, the Pronghorns had multiple scoring opportunities, only to be turned aside by the stellar play of Kelsey Roberts. The second year arts student made her season debut tonight after Sarah Murray was in goal for the Dinos yesterday in Lethbridge.

The Dinos were out-muscled for most of the first period, but bounced back in the second. Head coach Danielle Goyette reasons that the team's turnaround in the second period was sparked by strong communication. "That's where the energy came today, when we started [calling] some plays from the bench. That is why we came back in the game."

The second period saw the Dinos step up their pace and intensity as they had multiple scoring opportunities in the second period. The hard work and hustle paid off early in the frame, as the Dinos scored their first goal of the season, 5:23 into the second period. Third year forward Diane Hitchings freed the puck up to third year defender Paige Michalenko, who made a crisp tape-to-tape pass to fifth year forward Kate Lumley. She released a backhand top shelf to give the Dinos a 1-0 lead.

"It felt really good to get the first goal of the season," explained Lumley. "Diane [Hitchings] popped it to Paige [Michalenko] up top and then me and Paige made eye contact. She gave it to me, and I just fired it top corner."

After a hard fought decision last night in Lethbridge which ended in a double overtime loss, Lumley explained how it felt to score the team's first goal of the season. 

"It was really exciting. I know the girls were hungry for a win after yesterday. I thought we deserved to win that one, so we were ready to go tonight and win. I thought we really deserved it tonight so it felt awesome."

After a scoreless second period, the third frame saw both teams produce scoring chances. Pronghorns defender Jodi Gentile came close to equalizing the game a couple of times, only to be stopped by Kelsey Roberts. The second year goalie from Kitimat, BC, had an excellent game. As head coach Danielle Goyette remarks: "[Kelsey] had a great game tonight. She was fantastic… When you have good goaltending you always have a chance to win games and I think that is what happened to us this weekend."

Roberts certainly proved herself in her first start of the season, making 31 saves enroute to her first victory and shutout of the season.

"I felt really good... I knew we were going to build off [yesterday] and we came out and were as good as we were last night and kept building and building throughout the game," Roberts explained.

To seal the Dinos' victory, second year forward Rachel Paul made a key defensive play with 1:28 to play as she hustled on the backcheck to break up a Pronghorns 2-on-1.

The Pronghorns will remain at home and welcome the University of Saskatchewan Huskies next weekend, Oct 13 and 14.

The Dinos will enjoy their Thanksgiving weekends before they begin preparations for a series at home next week, against the UBC Thunderbirds. Puck drop is 7 p.m. on Oct 13 and 2 p.m. on Oct 14.

Photo by David Moll