Kilgore shines as Cougars top Thunderbirds

Regina Athletics

REGINA, Sask. - Mitch Kilgore had an early blemish but was perfect for the remainder of the evening as the University of Regina men's hockey team downed the UBC Thunderbirds 2-1 at The Co-operators Centre on Saturday night. After a quick first period goal, Kilgore settled down and made 28 saves to earn his third win of the Canada West campaign.

Stephen Langford scored his first goal as a member of the Cougars and Austin Bourhis netted his second in as many nights for Regina (6-20-0). Scott MacDonald replied for the visiting Thunderbirds.

The first period opened up with some wild action, as it took the Cougars just over two minutes to break the scoreless tie. Dillan McCombie sent a pass up the right wing to Ian McNulty, who fired a low drive towards the net. Bourhis had crashed down hard on the net, and managed to create enough havoc in front that the puck slipped through Matt Hewitt. Bourhis was awarded credit on the marker, his second of the weekend and fourth of the season.

UBC needed just 17 seconds to answer the Bourhis goal and draw even, as MacDonald threw one in front and was rewarded with his fifth of the season. The attempt in front was a pass intended for Josh Connolly, but the puck slid past Kilgore and deflected into the net off a Cougar stick. Connolloy and Anthony Bardaro collected assists on the goal.

Regina would take the lead back right before the end of the first, as Langford netted his first goal of the season just 1:10 before the first intermission. The goal was sparked by some hard work in the UBC zone by Langford and J.J. Coleshaw. Coleshaw found Langford behind the net and he was able to bring the puck out front and bang one under the pad of Hewitt for his first career Canada West point.

The Cougars earned the game's first powerplay early in the second period following a scuffle behind the UBC net, but were only able to get two shots in the direction of Hewitt.

UBC had back-to-back powerplay chances later in the second after McNulty was dinged for hooking Austin Vetterl and was Tyler Bell was sent away for a cross check. The first Thunderbirds powerplay was held in check by Kilgore, who made multiple saves on good UBC chances. UBC failed to sustain any pressure on the second man advantage, as the Cougars killed the penalty without allowing a shot on net.

The pace kept up in the third period, but UBC controlled play for the majority of the frame. The visitors managed 10 shots on net, but Kilgore and the Regina defencemen were able to keep the T-Birds off the scoresheet. UBC looked like they could draw even on a pair of occasions late in the third, but Kilgore and Devon McMullen were both able to clear the puck out of harm's way.

Hewitt came out of his net for the last two minutes and the Thunderbirds were able to control possession, but a nice effort from McCombie to clear the zone with less than ten seconds left would cut off any hopes of a comeback for UBC.

Hewitt made 27 saves for UBC (10-12-4), which will hang on to the sixth and final Canada West playoff spot for the time being.

Regina will meet the provincial rival Saskatchewan Huskies next weekend to close the Canada West schedule. The Cougars will battle the Huskies in Saskatoon on Friday night before returning home for the season finale on Saturday night.