Box Score

Kylie Gavelin and Bailey Braden both scored and Jennifer Schmidt (pictured) made 36 saves as the University of Regina's women's hockey team won 2-1 over Alberta on Friday in Game 1 of a best-of-three Canada West semifinal series in Edmonton.

The Cougars were outshot 14-5 and trailed 1-0 through 20 minutes after Alberta's Jessica Kampjes scored near the eight-minute mark of the opening frame, but the Cougars scored twice in the opening eight minutes in the second to take the lead for good.

Montanna Noyes was caught for a tripping minor a minute into the second period and it didn't take long for Gavelin to capitalize with her league-leading third of the postseason. Just 17 seconds after the Noyes penalty, Stephanie Sawchuk deflected a pass from Brooklyn Moskowy right to Gavelin, who beat Alberta goalie Michala Jeffries while falling down to tie up the game.

And six minutes later, Braden scored what would turn out to be the game-winning goal after creating her own chance off a hard forecheck. She forced an Alberta turnover deep in the Pandas' own zone, brought the puck to her forehand, and snapped a shot past Jeffries for her first career postseason goal.

Schmidt shut the door from there, making 13 saves in the second and 10 more in the third to secure the win. Alberta ended up with a 37-14 advantage in shots on goal and pulled Jeffries with a minute left, but the Pandas weren't able to come up with the game-tying goal.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday night in Game 2 of the semifinal series (6:00 MST, reg.canadawest.tv).