Box Score

Tori Head scored twice and Jennifer Schmidt stopped 21 shots in net as the University of Regina Cougars beat the No. 1 Alberta Pandas 2-1 to win the best-of-three Canada West semifinal series 2-1 and advance to the Canada West championship.

Jessica Kampjes had the lone goal for the Pandas, while Michala Jeffries made 18 saves in a losing effort.

The Cougars opened the scoring early in the first period. Head came out from behind the Alberta net and poked the puck past Jeffries to give her team a 1-0 lead. The Cougars also killed off two Panda power plays and outshot Alberta 10-7.

The second period saw some great chances by both teams, but nothing got past either goaltender until late in the frame. With 1:22 on the clock Triston Riemer let a slapshot go from the point that was tipped home by Head for her second of the night and third of the playoffs. Schmidt continued to stand tall in goal, stopping several solid Alberta chances to keep her team up 2-0 heading into the third.

Alberta fought back in the final frame. Second-year forward Kampjes scored her second goal of the weekend midway through the period to cut the Cougars lead to one. But despite pulling Jeffries in the final minute the Pandas couldn't find the equalizer and the Cougars held on for the 2-1 victory.

With the win, the Cougars advance to the Canada West final for the first time since 2003. They will take on the rival Saskatchewan Huskies, who knocked off the UBC Thunderbirds in three games in the other semifinal. The puck drops in Saskatoon on Friday and Saturday, with game three being played on Sunday if necessary.