Connor Hood, Golden Bears and Pandas Athletics

EDMONTON - Amy Boucher scored twice for the Alberta Pandas, as they won their third-straight game with a 2-1 victory over the Calgary Dinos, Sunday afternoon at Clare Drake Arena.

The win gives the Pandas a conference-leading 11-3-2-0 record and 37 points after the conclusion of the first half of their season. The loss drops Calgary to 2-12-0-2, as they remain in eighth place in Canada West. 

Boucher's line provided all of the offence for Alberta on Sunday, as Alex Gowie and Hannah Olenyk each assisted on both of Boucher's goals. The line also combined for 14 of the Pandas 45 shots. 

Starting goalie Dayna Owen stopped 14 of the 15 shots she faced, earning her fourth win this season. Dinos starter Kelsey Roberts was excellent in a losing effort, making a season-high 43 saves. Sara Craven scored the lone Dinos goal. 

Coming off back-to-back wins over Saskatchewan, the Pandas picked up right where they left off with an impressive first period. Alberta outshot Calgary 13-4, capped off with Boucher's third of the season 13 minutes in.

Taking a feed down low from Gowie, Boucher made a nice move around a Dino defender, before beating Roberts through the five-hole. 

The Dinos fought back with a stronger second period, and despite being outshot 14-7, tied the game late in the frame. On the powerplay, Craven's shot found its way through a maze in front, beating a screened Owen. The 1-1 scoreline held after 40 minutes. 

The Pandas peppered the Dino net early in the third, forcing Roberts to make a handful of fantastic stops. Boucher finally restored the Pandas lead midway through the first, beating Roberts off a scramble in the Dino crease. 

Owen stopped all four Dino shots she faced in the third period to preserve the 2-1 Panda win.

The game was the last for each program in 2018, with Canada West action returning in early January.