The University of Regina men's hockey team was defeated 6-2 by the Lethbridge Pronghorns in the first game of its 2019 Canada West schedule on Friday night at the Nicholas Sheran Arena.

The Cougars held a 2-1 lead midway through the second period of Friday's fast-paced contest, but the hometown Pronghorns rattled off five straight to take the opening game of the weekend series.

Sam McKechnie had two goals for Lethbridge, including the game winner. Ryan Chynoweth, Justin Valentino, Torrin White and Michael Grant also lit the lamp for the home team. Zak Zborosky scored in his first game back from injury, and Corey Kosloski also found the net for Regina.

Garret Hughson was the winning goaltender, making 35 saves. Dawson MacAuley was busy in net for Regina, stopping 49 shots in the loss.

Zborosky scored the only goal of the first period, while MacAuley stopped all 20 Lethbridge shots in the frame. Chynoweth got the 'Horns on the board early in the second before Kosloski scored his fourth of the year at the 9:34 mark.

Lethbridge broke through after that, scoring two more goals on 17 shots in the second period and piling on three markers on 18 tries in the third. 

The Cougars fall to 3-13-1 on the season, while the Pronghorns improve to 6-9-2. Regina and Lethbridge will face off again on Saturday afternoon, with puck drop set for 2 p.m. local time.