The University of Regina men's hockey team was downed 5-3 in the opening game of a two-game set against the Lethbridge Pronghorns on Saturday evening.

Dan Iwanski scored twice for the Pronghorns, and Mitchell Maxwell added a goal and an assist. Other goal scorers for the Pronghorns were Sam Wilbur and Mike Forsyth, who cashed in on an empty net with less than a minute to play.

Replying for the Cougars was Liam Brennan, Tyler Giebel and Brody Luhning (pictured). Cody Fowlie and Tyler Henry each notched two assists in the loss.

Giebel was the first one to score, recording his second of the season on the powerplay six and a half minutes into the first. The lead was short-lived for the Cougars, as Iwanski struck less than 30 seconds later. Maxwell scored two minutes after that while the Pronghorns were on the penalty kill.

Brennan netted his first of the season in the second period, but Lethbridge answered again to take back their one-goal lead heading into the third. 
Luhning's goal with just over nine minutes left in the game tied things once again but it was Iwanski coming up clutch and beating Lucas Gore with four minutes to play for the game-winner.

Gore stopped 27 shots for the Cougars, while Dylan Tait made 31 saves for the Pronghorns.

Lethbridge improves to 3-8-0 on the season while the Cougars drop to 1-10-0.

The two teams will face off again on Sunday with face off set for 4 p.m. Saskatchewan time.