Box Score With files from University of Calgary Sports Information

Box Score

A shorthanded tally by Walker Wintoneak in the third was the difference on Friday night at Father David Bauer Arena as the University of Calgary Dinos came from behind to defeat the University of Regina Cougars 2-1.

The triumph extended the Dinos' season-high win streak to six games and allows them to maintain pace with the third-placed Manitoba Bisons who Calgary trails in the standings by one point. The Dinos' record improves to 12-7-0, while the Cougars fall to 9-8-2 on the year and see their three-game winning streak come to an end.

Both teams entered Friday's contest riding a hot streak and were aiming to continue their climb up the standings. Through 18 games, the Cougars were only two points behind the Dinos for fourth in Canada West.

The visiting Cougars controlled the majority of five-on-five action in the first period and used a stingy defensive effort to limit Calgary's chances. On a power play at 6:48, Regina opened the scoring as Craig Cuthbert squeezed the puck past the pad of Dustin Butler. The tally was Cuthbert's second of the campaign.

A man advantage midway through the first frame seemed to spark the Dinos' attack as they finally managed to pepper netminder Lucas Gore with some better scoring chances. Though Gore held the fort with his team a man down, Calgary found the back of the net with under a minute left in the period. From the slot, Corey Banfield banged the puck through the legs of Gore for his fourth of the year with Brock Nixon and Wintoneak notching assists on the play.

More defensive play dominated the second period as neither side was able to garner any great opportunities. Being kept to the outside, Calgary had eight shots in the second, compared to four by Regina. The Dinos eventually outshot the Cougars 27-23 on the night.

With little happening during even strength action, it look some open ice on special teams for the tie to be broken. While shorthanded early in the third, Nixon broke into the zone from the right side where he threw the puck towards the middle of the ice for Wintoneak who buried his 11th of the season.

With their first lead of the night, Calgary depended on fifth-year netminder Butler in the final stanza as they nursed a one-goal lead. The former CIS goaltender of the year made a number of key saves, including in the final minute with Gore pulled.

These two teams will go at it again tomorrow night at Father David Bauer Arena with puck drop at 6 p.m.  Calgary travels to Manitoba next weekend for a match-up with the Bisons on Jan. 18-19. Regina returns Calgary next weekend as they contest with the Mount Royal Cougars on Jan. 18-19.