Women's Hockey | 9/28/2018 10:07:00 PM

Emma Waldenberger scored in the game's opening minute and Morgan Baker and Jane Kish combined to turn aside 34 of 35 shots as the Regina Cougars opened their final preseason weekend with a 2-1 win over the York Lions at the Great Lakes Challenge in Kincardine, Ont. 

Joined by the Lethbridge Pronghorns, the preseason tournament provides the Canada West teams with the opportunity to square off against a pair of OUA teams. 

"It's always nice to get a look at an out-of-conference opponent," said Waldenberger. "You don't often get to see what teams in the other conferences are like. York actually plays a lot like a Canada West team. They're big, physical and clog things up out there."

York's Kelsey McHolm tied the game on a goalmouth scramble, poking a loose puck past Morgan Baker just before the midpoint of the second period. 

Baker yielded the crease to Kish shortly after the goal, as Cougar head coach Sarah Hodges provided both returning goalies with some work. 

"I thought both girls played well," said Hodges. "Morgan was tested a couple of times when we were under pressure early, and Jane made a pair of big saves when they were pressing in the last minute to seal it for us"

Jordan Kulbida scored the game winner in the opening minute of the third period, batting a bouncing puck past York netminder Serena Vilde. 

Regina continues the Great Lakes Challenge with a Saturday evening clash against Brock before wrapping the weekend against Lethbridge.