The Lethbridge United 18U AAA squad set the tone early in a hard-fought Junior Prospects Hockey League matchup against Kootenay HA, skating away with a 4-2 victory on home ice. Carter Jensen opened the scoring for Lethbridge just under five minutes into the first period, setting the stage for a dominant opening frame. The home team continued their offensive pressure, with Colin Fancy doubling the lead midway through the period, assisted by Mason Noble and Preston Dorusak. The period was marred by physical play and penalties, including a major and game misconduct to Lethbridge's Leo Sander for an illegal check to the head, forcing United to play significant stretches shorthanded.
Despite being down a man for extended periods, Lethbridge's defense and goaltender Lucas Pasemko stood tall. Kootenay began to find their footing in the second period, with Isaiah Willoughby cutting the deficit in half. However, Lethbridge answered back late in the period as Luke Zienchuk restored the two-goal cushion, with Fancy picking up his second point of the night with an assist. The third period saw Kootenay push desperately to get back in the game, outshooting Lethbridge 13-11. Their efforts were rewarded when Aiden Stefano scored to make it 3-2, creating a tense final fifteen minutes.
In the end, Kootenay's comeback bid fell short. With the visiting net empty in the final minute, Lethbridge's Devin Groenenboom sealed the victory with an empty-net goal in the dying second. Goaltender Lucas Pasemko was a wall for Lethbridge, turning aside 24 of 26 shots for the win, while his team weathered a turbulent game that featured numerous penalties to secure two crucial points.