Box Score
Kylie Gavelin scored the game-winning goal five minutes into the third period and
Toni Ross made 18 saves as the University of Regina Cougars defeated the Calgary Dinos 3-2 on Friday night in Canada West women's hockey action.
Carleen Meszaros and
Kristin Boan also scored for the Cougars, while Jenna Smith and Kelsie Lang provided the offense for Calgary. Hayley Dowling stopped 12 shots in a losing effort for the Dinos.
The first period opened with an early Dinos power play after
Jill Kennedy was sent off for bodychecking. However the Cougars managed to kill it off before receiving a chance of their own with the man advantage after
Kendra Finch drew a slashing call off a rush to the net. Despite a number of good shots the Cougars couldn't beat Dowling. Calgary outshot the Cougars 11-4 in the opening period.
The Cougars opened the second with a brief five-on-three power play, but it was short-lived as
Nikki Watters-Matthes was sent off for tripping. However the Cougars continued to apply pressure and their persistence paid off as
Carleen Meszaros blasted home her first goal of the year from the point to put the Cougars up 1-0.
But the Dinos weren't about to give up, and Smith beat Ross with a backhand on the blocker side just 26 seconds into the third period to tie the game 1-1. However less than two minutes later the Cougars would regain the lead.
Tori Head took the puck hard to the net and Boan cashed in on the rebound to put the Cougars up by one. Three minutes later Gavelin calmly picked up a loose puck in the slot and tucked it into the net to put her team up 3-1.
Once again though, the Dinos kept up the pressure. With under four minutes remaining in the period, Kelsie Lang fired a shot on the Cougars' net. The goal light was briefly lit before the goal judge waved it off. After conferring with his crew, the referee ruled the puck crossed the line, pulling the Dinos within one. But that's as far as Calgary would come. Despite pulling Dowling in the final minute of play, they couldn't beat Ross and the Cougars held on for the 3-2 win.
With the win the Cougars snap a three game losing skid and improve to 9-5-1 on the season. Calgary sees their record fall to 6-8-1.
The two teams will meet again tomorrow night to wrap up the weekend series. Puck drop at The Co-operators Centre is set for 7 p.m.
