Shelby Ballendine fans had to be happy with Saturday night’s game at Nicholas Sheran Arena.
The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns women’s hockey team fought their way to a 3-2 shootout vicotry over the visiting Regina Cougars, pushing their Canada West Conference record to 14-8-2, three points ahead of the Manitoba Bisons, who have two games in hand.
But on Saturday, the Pronghorns entered Shelby Ballendine’s name in the record book, beside Sam Schneyder’s as the team’s all-time leading scorer with 173 points.
Well, after assisting on Sadie Lenstra’s game-tying goal with seven seconds left, Ballendine potted the shootout winner to finish the ’Horns season with a chance at a post-season berth.
“We waited a little long,” said Lethbridge head coach Chandy Kaip. “Whew, it was a nailbiter, but we just kept putting on pressure and pressure and shots and shots and finally got that goal.
“And for Shelby, the assist to get her name in the records in her last home game in front of her family and her friends. It was pretty special.”
After the game, the Pronghorns brought family and fans into their locker room — the renovations to Nicholas Sheran Arena in the summer included a swanky new room for the Pronghorn ladies — and Kaip said it was a time to enjoy the moment and not think about the playoff picture.
Megan Bach and Ballendine both graduate this season.
“Tonight, we brought the players’ families, I mean the Bachs and the Ballendines and (U of L booster and professor) Dennis Connolly and everybody out on the ice and Shelby got to pose with her plaque and take some photos and they got to enjoy a successful season,” said Kaip.

“They have definitely earned it.”
Kaip also said Bach and Ballendine are exemplary students, and that their families will also be missed.
“I’m going to miss their families, you can’t believe that every game, when we go to UBC, the U of M, wherever, they’re in the crowd, they’re cheering us on,” said Kaip. “It’s not just missing players, but families and friends and the support they bring.”
 Regina, which surprised Lethbridge with a 5-0 win Friday at Nicholas Sheran, took a 2-1 lead in the second period, after Jenna-Marie Durnin put the Pronghorns up 1-0 early in that period.
But Lethbridge fought back and, with Crystal Patterson pulled from their net, Lenstra scored the 10th goal of her rookie season, with an assist to Ballendine, who is also tied for the most appearances in Pronghorn history with teammate Megan Bach (they each have played in 118 games).
“Those two girls have meant a lot to this program,” said Kaip. “From their first year to this year, it’s been a huge change. We have a locker room, that’s the big thing, I mean, those girls spent more time than anyone here without a proper university locker room and they earned it this year. They earned every success we’ve gained here and are going to be missed.”
’Horns beat Cougars
In the men’s game, a 5-2 win over the Regina Cougars  was nice, but it did little to keep Lethbridge head coach Greg Gatto’s fears at bay.
The win improves Lethbridge’s record to 7-16-3 and means they are five points ahead of Regina for the final Canda West playoff spot. The Pronghorns have next weekend off and host the Alberta Golden Bears the week after, while Regina has four games left.
The situation has Gatto hoping the Golden Bears sweep Regina next weekend, meaning his team can concentrate on the post-season.
“I’d love to see the Bears go in to Regina and sweep them next weekend, so I can get my guys ready for the playoffs,” said Gatto. “But at least we got the win tonight. Maybe with a week off, we’ll wake up a bit and start playing better.”
Gatto said despite the flattering scoreline, the win Saturday was ugly, and while he has no prblem winning ugly, he’d like to see a few players find their rhythm.
“Our old guys showed up tonight, the guys that didn’t show up yesterday (a 4-3 loss to the Cougars). But Mappin could have had four, we just didn’t look like I think we can,” said Gatto.
“I mean, look at (goaltender) Scotty Bowles. I don’t think he’s stolen us a game all year. He’s definitely kept us in some games, but we’ve seen him steal games regularly for the past few years and maybe I’m spoiled but I’d love to see that again.”
Bowles made 20 saves on Saturday, while Dustin Moore, Ryan Pottruff, Curtis Cooper, Cass Mappin and Clayton Cumiskey each scored a goal. Moore and Pottruff scored on the power play, a unit which has been scoring at a brisk pace. The ’Horns have six power play goals in the past four games.
“If we’d have done that the whole year, maybe things would be different, but hey, we’re still in control,”said Gatto.