LANGLEY, B.C. ­– Trinity Western's late surge wasn't enough as the Calgary Dinos defeated the Spartans 4-1 at the George Preston Recreation Centre on Saturday.
 
The Spartans (2-12-0) struggled to find zone entries as the Dinos (6-8-0) controlled the first two periods of the game.
 
Special teams dictated play once again as the Dinos converted on two of seven opportunities. TWU's night on the advantage saw a different outcome as the Spartans could only convert on one of eleven power play chances.
 
Brooklyn Anderson (Shellbrook, Sask.) led the way for the Spartans, potting a power play marker to bring her to four points in the past four games. Anderson was assisted by Ashlee Wolfe (Holbein, Sask.) and Jordyn Matthews (Okotoks, Alta.). In net, Mabel Maltais (Edmonton) played well, making some incredible saves en route to stopping 25 of the 29 total shots she faced on the night.
 
The Dinos were led by Gabby Durante. Durante, who nearly shut the Spartans out, made multiple big saves to keep Calgary's lead significant throughout the entirety of the match. Rachel Paul led the Dinos in scoring with two goals and an assist while Elizabeth Lang also chipped in with two helpers.
 
AS IT HAPPENED
The Dinos were the first to break the duck in the first period as Sage Desjardins snatched up a loose puck in the slot for her third goal of the season. As the Spartans struggled to break through the neutral zone, Mabel Maltais stood tall in net, stopping 11 of 12 shots she faced. Maltais highlighted the period for TWU, stretching her right pad out to stop a shot that traditionally would've wound up in the net. The Spartans were only able to muster up three shots on the period, all of which were promptly stopped by Gabby Durante.
 
The second period was owned by the Dinos once again, though the Spartans did skate well with the Dinos, generating some solid opportunities. Rachel Paul and Holly Reuther both scored on the power play to put Calgary up 3-0 by the period's end. Gabby Durante continued to astound the crowd at the George Preston Recreation Centre, stopping every shot she faced. Durante made two massive saves on Brooklyn Anderson (Shellbrook, Sask.) and Ryleigh White (Warman, Sask.) to keep the Spartans at bay for yet another period.
 
The third period was TWU's strongest of the game. Brooklyn Anderson started things off in style as the Spartans snuck a five-on-three marker past Durante to bring the game within two. Although the Spartans seemed to have the legs to keep the game a tight contest, Calgary's Rachel Paul had different plans, scoring her second goal of the night only 2:02 after Anderson's goal.

 
NOTABLE

• Both Ashlee Wolfe and Brooklyn Anderson are riding consecutive games with points. Anderson's point total of six now ties Neisha Germann (Lloydminster, Alta.) for the team lead.

QUOTABLE
TWU Assistant Coach Sarah Potomak
"We knew this year was going to be difficult. Having a short bench is tough, but Jean and I try to keep things as positive as possible. We have a great leadership group who brings that mentality every day. Every time we're on the ice we try to make the most of it, even with the uncertainties we face as a team. Every time we go out there we just try to lift each other up."
 
UP NEXT
The Spartans will travel to take on Manitoba on Jan. 28^th and 29^th.
 
About Spartan Athletics
As official members of U SPORTS, the Spartans currently compete in 13 sports in the Canada West conference, including women's and men's soccer, volleyball, basketball, hockey, cross country and track & field, as well as women's rugby sevens. TWU also competes as an independent team in men's rugby. Since TWU entered U SPORTS in 1999, the Spartans have won 12 U SPORTS team championships and 29 Canada West team championships.
 
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