Box Score Box Score

Brett Leffler's goal with 10 seconds left in regulation sent the game to overtime, and Matt Strueby scored in the fourth round of the shootout to give the University of Regina a 5-4 win over Lethbridge on Friday night in a Canada West men's hockey game at The Co-Operators Centre.

Mason Conway's first Canada West goal gave Lethbridge a 4-3 lead with just 46 seconds to go in the third. It looked as though Conway's marker would stand as the game winner, but the Pronghorns took a roughing penalty and Leffler batted a Dillon Johnstone pass out of midair and beat Lethbridge goalie Scott Bowles to knot the game at four goals apiece.

Five minutes of overtime wasn't enough to settle the issue, sending it to a shootout. Neither team was able to score in the first two rounds, which were highlighted by a spectacular pad save by Cougar goalie Adam Ward on Dustin Moore's attempt. Regina's Craig Cuthbert and Lethbridge's Andrew Courtney both scored in the third round, and Strueby's fourth-round goal stood as the winner after Ward denied Taylor Gal's attempt.

“It was nice to see some of our younger guys step up tonight,” said Cougars head coach Blaine Sautner, who singled out Leffler, Strueby, and Terrance DeLaronde as having strong games. “Ward was solid again for us, and it was just an all-around great team effort tonight that got us a win.”

Cody Esposito and DeLaronde both scored in the first period for the Cougars. Nick Hotson replied for Lethbridge as Regina (8-15-2) took a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes. Winston Day Chief and Courtney both scored for the Pronghorns in the second to give Lethbridge a 3-2 advantage going into the third.

Ryan Sawka's unassisted goal seven minutes into the third period tied up the game at three apiece, paving the way for the last-minute efforts from Conway and Leffler.

Ward made 34 saves in the win for the Cougars, while Bowles made 24 saves for Lethbridge. Both teams scored once with the man advantage.

Lethbridge moves to 9-8-5 with the overtime loss as the Pronghorns now sit three points behind Manitoba for the fourth and final Canada West postseason berth.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday night at The Co-Operators Centre.