EDMONTON — The Alberta Golden Bears held off a late Trinity Western rally to earn a 3–2 victory Friday night at Clare Drake Arena, improving to 1–0 on the young Canada West season.

Alex Thacker scored the game-winner with 1:12 left in the third period, beating TWU goalie Leon Sommer with a snap-shot below his blocker. Alonso Tapia Ruiz and Adam Hall also scored for the Bears. The Bears capitalized on consistent offensive pressure throughout, outshooting the Spartans 40–14. 

Ethan Kruger stopped 12 of 14 shots in goal for Alberta to earn the win, while Sommer turned aside 37 of 40 in a strong effort that kept the visitors within reach.

After a scoreless first period, Alberta took control in the second. Tapia Ruiz opened the scoring at 7:03, burying a feed from Dylan Ruptash to give the Bears a 1–0 edge. Adam Hall extended the lead late in the frame, finishing a setup from Dawson Davidson and Marcus Pacheco at 16:52 as Alberta carried a two-goal advantage into the intermission.

Trinity Western clawed back in the third. Christian Lowe cut the deficit to one at 4:47, converting a pass from Connor Farren with Artem Hrabovetskyi also assisting. The Spartans kept pressing and found the equalizer midway through the period when Matthias Bessey scored his first of the season at 11:56, assisted by Mikhailo Simchuk and Jonathan Krahn.

With overtime looming, Alberta's veteran presence proved decisive. Thacker netted the game-winner at 18:48, set up by Davidson, who finished with two assists on the night. The goal sealed a narrow 3–2 win for the Bears in front of a loud 1,279 fans.

Alberta (1–0–0) and Trinity Western (0–1–0) will conclude their weekend series Saturday night in Edmonton.