EDMONTON - The fifth-seeded Regina Cougars booked their ticket to Vancouver thanks to a thrilling 4-3 win over the Alberta Pandas, Saturday afternoon at Foote Field. 

Peyton Enns powered the Cougars with a hat-trick in Saturday's play-in-game, with Kirsten Koellmel adding three assists in the win. The victory sends the Cougars to the Canada West quarter-final, where they will visit the top-ranked UBC Thunderbirds next weekend. 

"Peyton had been suffering from a tough goal drought, so it was great to see her shake that off this afternoon," said Cougars bench boss Astrid Baecker. "She had been putting in so much work over the last few weeks, and it paid off today."

Enns recorded four assists in two games last weekend to help the Cougars make the post-season, following it up with three goals on Saturday against Alberta. Nicole Klassen also scored for Regina, who held a 3-1 lead at the half over the Pandas, holding on for the one-goal victory. Kareena Andersen made seven saves in the Regina net. 

Emily Duxbury, Abbie Sheflo, and Wanda Czebreszuk scored for Alberta in the loss, with Autumn Wynn making four saves on eight Regina shots. The loss eliminates the Pandas from the CW post-season, and marks the sixth-straight playoff trip for the Pandas that ended with an opening loss. The Pandas last playoff win came in 2014. 

The visitors peppered the Pandas early, racing out to a two-goal lead in the opening 30 minutes. Enns scored her first just nine minutes in, giving Regina an early lead. The Pandas responded just six minutes later, with Duxbury knocking in a header past Andersen. 

Enns restored the Pandas lead, taking advantage of a gaff in the Pandas net by Wynn. Klassen doubled the Regina lead in the 30th, giving the Cougars a commanding lead at the half. 

Trying to keep their season alive, Sheflo cut the Pandas deficit in half, hitting a rocket past Anderson from 25 yards out. Andersen redeemed herself following the Sheflo tally, making a couple key stops to keep the Cougars lead intact. Enns hat-trick marker in the 75th sealed the Cougars win. 

Czebreszuk's goal in stoppage time was immediately followed by the final whistle from the head ref, ending the Pandas comeback bid. 

The Cougars and Thunderbirds will meet next Saturday afternoon in Vancouver, one of four CW quarter-final matches next weekend.