The Battlefords got a taste of university-level women's hockey on the weekend, but the experience left a bitter taste for the Regina Cougars.
The Cougars were bombed 5-0 by the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology Ooks in a Saturday afternoon game at the Battleford Arena. The contest served as a "home" game for the Ooks.
The scoring got under way in the first period, as Lacie Richard scored from Emma Sommerfeld and Gabrielle Pelland, making it 1-0 for the Ooks on the powerplay.
In the second period, NAIT made it 2-0 midway through the period, as Pelland scored from Taryn McCormick beating Regina goalie Naticia Leskan. Then at 14:01, NAIT scored again when Justine Cantley scored from Pelland and Nicole Gregoire on the powerplay.
The period was filled with penalties as two minors were assessed to NAIT while nine minors were assessed to Regina, which eventually killed the Cougars.
In the third, the Cougars had some good scoring chances and some good play in net, with Leskan robbing the Ooks early in the period with a big save. Another chance late in the period saw Regina hit the post.
Two late goals sealed the win for NAIT, as Cantley scored again on the breakaway and Danielle Brown scored with 1:21 remaining to end the game 5-0 in favor of the Ooks.
Kerrie Harricks got the shutout in net for the Ooks.
Both squads now go back home to prepare for their conference schedules. NAIT opens their conference schedule Oct. 15 against Mount Royal College in Edmonton. Regina is in action Friday night versus the University of Calgary.