Box Score

Alberta rookie T.J. Foster scored the game-winning goal at 2:27 of the third period and the No. 1-ranked University of Alberta Golden Bears managed to hold off the Regina Cougars for a 3-2 decision on Friday night at Clare Drake Arena in Edmonton.

Jordan Hickmott and James Dobrowolski scored Alberta's other goals, while defencemen Colin Joe and Jesse Craige each picked up two assists. Fourth-year goalie Kurtis Mucha stopped 15 shots for the win, but was especially sharp in the final frame as he prevented the Cougars from tying it up.

Dillon Johnstone and Cody Fowlie replied for the Cougars and both players finished with a two point night. Goaltender Andrew Hayes earned the game's second star nod thanks to his terrific work in the Regina crease. The third-year puck stopper was the difference maker for Regina in the first period as he made a number of big saves to keep the game within reach.

Hickmott opened the scoring on the power play eight minutes into the first, as Hayes made 12 saves to keep the Cougars within one at the first intermission. Dobrowolski pushed Alberta's lead to two with a shorthanded goal eight minutes into the middle frame, but the Cougars replied less than a minute later as Johnstone scored less than a minute later. Fowlie and Jordan Reeve both drew assists on Johnstone's goal, his first since his return to the U of R following a two-season absence.

Foster scored what would turn out to be the game-winning goal 2:27 into the third. Fowlie replied with his third of the season with seven minutes left, but that was as close as the Cougars would come. A late penalty for too many men put the Cougars down a man with under two minutes left, severely hindering their chances for a late tying goal.

The victory sends Alberta to an 11-0-0 record, while Regina drops to 6-5-0. The two teams will meet again on Saturday night when the puck drops at 6:00 (MST).