Offence rules, Dinos use shootout to drop Horns

by Eric Kerkhoven, U of Calgary Sports Info Assistant

Archive photo courtesy David Moll / U of Calgary Athletics: Brock Nixon scored twice inregulation and again to seal a Dinos win in the shootout

CALGARY – After blowing a 5-1 second period lead, the Calgary Dinos regained their composure and made amends in the shootout period, defeating the Lethbridge Pronghorns 6-5.

Kyle Annesley and Brock Nixon each scored for the Dinos in the shootout, while neither Jason Roberts and Mark Shefchyk could get their shots past Calgary goaltender Dustin Butler for the ‘Horns.

Lethbridge-Calgary men's hockey summary

Calgary’s victory marks the second shootout game of the weekend series between the two clubs, with Lethbridge taking Thursday’s game at home, and is also the Dinos’ third shootout game in only four regular season outings.

The Dinos were able to get out to the fast start, with Brett O’Malley and Brock Nixon opening the scoring four minutes apart early in the first period. O’Malley made good on the second Dino shot of the game, slipping it past Lethbridge goaltender Scott Bowles, while Nixon took advantage of a Pronghorns turnover, sniping a hard wrist shot over the left shoulder of Bowles.

Lethbridge forward Curtis Cooper managed to steer a wristshot past Butler in the late stages of the first period, which may have been helped by a Calgary Dino redirection.

Nixon and O’Malley would get another goal each before the midway point of the second period, with Kyle Annesley making it 5-1 shortly thereafter on a 5-3 situation. With Lethbridge still faced with a penalty kill situation, the Dinos seemed poised to keep growing their lead.

However in a momentum shifting twist, the shorthanded Pronghorns began their comeback just a minute and seven seconds after Annesley’s goal, with assistant captain Andrew Courtney finding the five-hole of Butler.

Courtney’s goal was the spark that Lethbridge needed, as they would get three more goals before regulation time expired, with Courtney and Cooper each finding one more, and captain Dustin Moore contributing as well.

Both teams were able to stop defend great opportunities late in the third and in the overtime period, with the notable stop coming from Bowles on a strong Annesley rush in the extra frame.

With the victory, Dinos head coach Mark Howell can breathe a sigh a relief.

“You’re always pleased with the two points, that’s for sure,” said Howell, “but we definitely strayed from the game plan after coming out strong, which is something we need to improve.

“The guys need to understand how hard it is to be a great team, and how much work and sacrifice it takes,” continued the first-year coach. “But we’re playing better each game, and we’ve got another victory to show for it.”

Butler made 15 saves for the Dinos in the victory, while Bowles made 25 in the losing effort.

The Pronghorns drop to 1-2-1 on the season, and will host the UBC Thunderbirds next weekend, who beat the Manitoba Bisons 5-3 on Saturday night.

Calgary will go on the road for their next series, with two games in Winnipeg against the Bisons upcoming. The Dinos return home for Halloween weekend, where they will host the Regina Cougars in a two game set.