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GOES OUT IN STYLE – Whitehorse native Angela Burke completed her CIS career by scoring the game-winning goal for Lethbridge against Mount Royal Saturday. Photo courtesy of UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE PRONGHORNS

Burke snipes winner to cap ’Horns career

Whitehorse native Angela Burke ended her university hockey career in style Saturday night.

By Marcel Vander Wier on February 19, 2015

Whitehorse native Angela Burke ended her university hockey career in style Saturday night.

The 22-year-old University of Lethbridge Pronghorns forward scored the only goal of the game against the Mount Royal Cougars in a 1-0 win in Lethbridge, Alta.

The game was the last of the season for both teams, as neither qualified for the playoffs.

Burke’s snipe was her first of the season. The 5-foot-4 winger’s goal came in front of her parents, Mike and Eileen Burke, who were in attendance as each of the Pronghorns senior players were honoured before the game.

“It was truly an amazing way to end my five-year CIS hockey career,” Burke said in an email to the Star. “My last game as a Pronghorn couldn’t have turned out any better.”

Burke’s power-play goal came on a rebound from a shot by teammate Chelsea Minor, who walked into the slot and fired a wrister at the pads of Mount Royal goalie Emma Pincott.

Parked in front of the net, Burke gathered the loose puck and buried it behind the keeper.

While the Yukoner provided the scoring, Burke’s close friend, goalie Crystal Patterson, turned aside 26 shots to preserve the win.

The two shared a special moment after Burke’s first-period tally.

“After flying by the bench for my goal celebration, Patterson and I embraced in a hug that was worthy of Nick Foligno and Sergei Bobrovsky,” Burke said.

The two Columbus Blue Jackets players have become well-known for their celebratory embraces following their NHL club’s victories.

The Cougars peppered the net in the final minute of the third period, but were unable to beat Patterson.

Interim head coach Hailey Wood sent out all six graduating players – Sadie Lenstra, Courtney Minor, Chelsea Minor, Katie Mucha, Burke and Patterson – for the final minute to defend the Lethbridge net one last time.

Wood said Burke’s “hard work and resilient attitude” rewarded her with the game-winning goal on Hockey Day in Canada.

The win gave the Pronghorns a final regular season record of 6-21-1.

Burke’s career in Lethbridge concludes after 100 regular season games and two playoff appearances in 2012.

She totalled two goals and five assists in her university career.

Burke briefly considered attempting to continue her hockey career in Europe, but instead hopes to attend law school this fall.

She also shared some encouragement for Team Yukon’s women’s hockey squad, currently 0-4 at the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George, B.C.

“I believe they are doing an amazing job representing the Yukon, both on and off the ice,” Burke said.

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