University of Regina Sports Information
REGINA - The University of Regina men's hockey team dropped a 6-2 decision to the Lethbridge Pronghorns at The Co-operators Centre on Friday night.
Sam McKechnie, Jay Merkley, Dalton Sward, Connor Sanvido, Taylor Fisher and Tyler Hansen netted goals for the Pronghorns, who move to 4-8-1 with the win. Blake Orban picked up three assists for the visitors. Brody Luhning and Zak Zborosky scored for Regina as the Cougars fall to 2-9-2.
Lethbridge got on the board first after killing off an early Cougar powerplay opportunity. A Cougar defender stepped up for a big hit in the neutral zone but it let the Pronghorns in on a two-on-one break. McKechnie elected to keep and deked around Michael Herringer to pot his first of the season.
The Pronghorns had a full two minutes of five-on-three advantage to end the first period and start the second, and took advantage just 28 seconds into the second. Herringer made a great save on a shot from Orban but Merkley was right on the doorstep to convert the rebound. Sward's goal came at the 9:34 mark of the second, as he easily converted a pass from Tyler Maltby on a two-on-one rush.
Luhning broke Garret Hughson's shutout bid with a shorthanded marker late in the second period, as the blueliner stepped up into a passing lane and intercepted a pass to send him in alone. Luhning went to his backhand then back to his forehand to tuck it home for his first goal of the season.
The Pronghorns struck again 1:36 into the third period, as Herringer robbed Moser with the pad but the puck sat free in the crease for Sanvido to slip home. Fisher added a powerplay marker at the 7:36 mark of the third, ripping a high shot past the glove of Herringer off assists from Orban and Mitchell Maxwell.
Hansen's goal came as the third-year defender was coming out of the box and the puck jumped over the stick of a Cougar defender. Hansen went in on the breakaway and slipped a low shot through the pads of Herringer. Zborosky was credited for a Cougar goal with 30 seconds to play, swooping in on an impressive rush and putting a shot on Hughson. Hughson made the initial save but a Pronghorn defender who had lost his balance slid right into the puck, knocking it into the Lethbridge net.
Hughson made 29 saves for his fourth win of the season, while Herringer stopped 32 shots for the Cougars.
The Cougars and Pronghorns will battle again on Saturday night, with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. at The Co-operators Centre.