Hockey: Cougars, Bears sweep in CW action

The Regina Cougars secured their first sweep of the season as they downed the visiting Lethbridge Pronghorns Friday and Saturday night in Regina. Friday night saw the Cougars' Tanner Shultz score the lone goal that beat Lethbridge netminder Scott Bowles who only saw 14 shots on the night, while first year forward Craig Cuthbert added the insurance marker into an empty net to secure the 2-0 win. Adam Ward was stellar in goal for Regina as he posted a 37 save shutout - his first of the season. Saturday night was a different story for Regina shot wise, as they peppered Bowles with 42 shots, with five different Cougars finding the back of the net, including Mark Nelson who led the way with a goal and two assists. Jason Roberts had both Lethbridge goals, in the 5-2 loss for the 'Horns. Regina hosts the Manitoba Bisons next weekend, while Lethbridge heads home to host the #2 ranked Golden Bears.

In Calgary, the Saskatchewan Huskies were looking to keep on the winning path after sweeping Lethbridge a week earlier in Saskatoon. Friday night the Huskies jumped out to a 3-1 lead heading into the third period, but Calgary came back in the final frame with goals from Teegan Moore and Dustin Hatlelid to tie the score at 3-3. Sandwiched in between those two Calgary goals was also a failed penalty shot attempt by the Dinos Torrie Wheat who was stopped by Jeff Harvey. The game would need a shootout, as both Kyle Annesley and Wheat scored in the shootout with the Huskies failing to find the back of the net, as Calgary skated away with a 4-3 win. Saskatchewan would once again jump out to a lead Saturday night - a three goal lead, and this time around the Huskies would hold on. Chris Durand lead the charge for Saskatchewan, scoring a pair of power play goals for the Huskies, while Moore scored the lone Calgary goal in a 4-1 Saskatchewan win. The Huskies head to UBC next weekend, while Calgary has a bye this coming week.

Despite being out shot 38-28 Friday night in Vancouver, the Alberta Golden Bears were able to lean on their conference leading power play for a trio of goals, including a pair from Eric Hunter with the man advantage, to lift the Bears to a 6-2 win over the UBC Thunderbirds. Sean Ringrose was also key for Alberta Friday, with a goal and a pair of assists to continue his strong rookie campaign. Saturday night the Bears got goals from seven different players, including two from Ian McDonald en route to an 8-1 win. The power play was once again deadly for the Bears, as Alberta went four for seven, to push their weekend total to seven extra strength markers. Both Francois Thuot and Jordan White surrendered four goals on the night as Thuot who started the game was pulled midway through the second. The Bears continued their goaltender rotation, as Real Cyr got the start Friday and rookie Travis Yonkman was between the pipes Saturday night for Alberta. UBC hosts Saskatchewan this coming weekend, while Alberta heads to Lethbridge to take on a Pronghorns team that is coming off back-to-back weekends of being swept against Saskatchewan opponents.