By Brant Batters

WINNIPEG – The University of Manitoba didn’t start February they way wanted, losing in a shoot-out 4-3 at home to the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns.

Lethbridge never led in the game but got a late goal to propel them to overtime their second shoot-out victory in two weeks. They defeated the No. 4-ranked University of Saskatchewan Huskies at home, last Friday.

The Pronghorns got goals from Derek LeBlanc, Kris Deines, and Tyler Stella in regulation while Steve Zmudczynski and Jason Roberts scored in the shoot-out. Kyle Howarth, Jared Walker, Chris Falloon replied for the Bisons. The lone Manitoba goal in the shoot-out also came from the stick of Falloon.

With the loss, the Herd drop to 11-10-2. Good for 24-points a brief share of third place in the Canada West standings depending on the outcome of the Regina-Calgary game. Lethbridge improve to 6-16-1 on the season, but remain in the Canada West basement with 11-points.

Manitoba jumped out to an early lead, scoring twice in 25-seconds. Howarth got it started when he put home an easy open net goal from the slot after a pass from Rick Wood. Howarth’s third of the season came at 4:05. Wood set up the next goal, firing a shot from the left wing that Walker was able to deflect past Lethbridge netminder, Scott Bowles. Walker’s first ever CIS goal at 4:20 gave the Herd a 2-0 lead.

The Pronghorns erased that lead, getting goals from LeBlanc and Deines. LeBlanc scored streaking in on his opposite wing and snapping a shot from the right face-off dot. Bisons' goalie, Steve Christie was only able to get a piece of it as it went under his arm and dribbled into the net. LeBlanc’s seventh of the season came at 10:57. Then when Christie was unable to cover a loose puck in the crease, Deines was on the scene to mop up and pot his third of the year. That evened the score at two-a-piece, 12:24 into the opening frame.

Falloon regained the lead for the Herd in the second on the powerplay. Rob Smith’s shot from the left of Bowles rebounded straight to Falloon. He tucked it under the crossbar for his team leading 11th goal. Falloon’s powerplay marker came at 16:22.

With just over five minutes remaining in the game, Stella tied the game for the Pronghorns with a shot from the right wing, beating Christie under his arm. Stella’s seventh of the season came at 14:48 of the final period and sent the game to overtime.

Manitoba looked to have scored three minutes into overtime when the Bisons banged a loose puck into the net after a mad scramble. But after a short discussion between officials it was ruled no goal.

In the shootout, Zmudczynski scored first for the Pronghorns. Christie originally stopped the shot, but the puck got lost in his feet and accidentally kicked it into his own net.

Bowles stopped the Bisons' Walker as he went to his forehand.

Roberts scored the eventual shoot-out winner, going to his backhand and slipping it underneath Christie’s blocker.

Falloon made a nice move to freeze Bowles, going to his forehand and sliding it into the open Lethbridge net.

Christie then stopped Mark Shefchyk, forcing him wide as he went to his backhand.

Travis Kornelsen was unable to prolong the shoot-out as he tried to go five-hole but Bowles closed the door, sealing the Pronghorns victory.

Bowles stopped 24 shots to earn the victory, while Christie also made 24-saves, but in a losing effort.

Game two between Manitoba and Lethbridge will go Saturday evening at the Max Bell Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.