Heading into the home stretch of the Canada West conference schedules, all four Pronghorns teams face critical matchups as they drive for post-season berths. The women's hockey team is the lone team at home, hosting perennial powerhouse Alberta Pandas, while the men's hockey team heads north to face the Alberta Golden Bears in Edmonton. Horns basketball hits the road for the second consecutive week, traveling to Saskatoon to face the Saskatchewan Huskies.

With only three weekends of conference action remaining and sitting four points out of a playoff spot, the Pronghorns women's hockey team (4-10-4) faces a tough task hosting the CIS third ranked and conference leading Alberta Pandas (19-1-0). In November, the Pandas swept the Horns in Edmonton winning by 4-1 and 3-0 scores.

Coming off two tough losses last weekend, the Horns are in desperate need of points as they trail the Regina Cougars by four points for the fourth and final playoff spot, but will face the Cougars next weekend in Regina. The Horns will also have to leapfrog UBC in the standings, but they do hold two games in hand on the Thunderbirds.

After opening the conference schedule with 17 consecutive wins, the Pandas suffered their first loss three weeks ago, losing 2-0 in Vancouver to UBC. The Pandas had a bye last weekend but swept the Saskatchewan Huskies in their last conference action in Edmonton.

Puck drop for both Friday and Saturday night is set for 7 p.m. at Nicholas Sheran Arena.

All other Pronghorn action is on the road as both the men's and women's basketball teams travel to Saskatoon to face the University of Saskatchewan. Both clubs are still in the thick of the playoff races and this weekend's games are crucial.

Meanwhile, men's hockey ventures to Edmonton to face the University of Alberta Golden Bears. They too are looking for a playoff spot and need points out of this key two-game set.

For a full weekend preview, check out the Horns website.

For a look at a U of S basketball preview of this weekend's matchup with the Horns, visit this link:
http://www.youtube.com/saskhuskies#p/a/u/0/eQNhVtRMuJo