BOX SCORE CALGARY – In front of the CIS record-breaking crowd of 6016, the Mount Royal University Cougars defused a late third period comeback by upsetting the No. 3-ranked University of Calgary Dinos at the Scotiabank Saddledome 4-3 in overtime.

After establishing a 3-1 lead in the first period, Mount Royal looked well on their way to another big win against the Dinos. Chris Collins had other plans though as the Canada West-leading goal scorer collected two late goals to send the game into overtime. In the extra frame, Devin Gannon scored his second of the game to pick up the win for his club. The victory was the Cougars' second-straight against the Dinos in their Crowchild Classic meeting at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

With their third-straight defeat, the Dinos fall to 20-2-3 on the season. Mount Royal improves to 11-12-2 and into a fourth-place tie with the Regina Cougars in the conference standings.

While the Dinos managed to outshoot the Cougars in the first period, defensive lapses cost the team. Mount Royal opened the scoring in the late stages of the first period as Kris Lazaruk went to reach for a rebound. As the Calgary netminder went after the puck, the Cougars beat him to it with Matthew Brown scoring his 10th goal of the year.

Calgary got themselves back in the game with a responding goal at the 17:15 mark of the first. Former Calgary Hitmen defenceman Giffen Nyren connected with Walker Wintoneak who skated in and snapped a shot past Dalyn Flette. The goal was Wintoneak's 14th of the campaign.

Before the Dinos could begin to chase their first lead of the contest the Cougars netted two quick goals. On another communication breakdown behind the Calgary net, Gannon picked up an unassisted tally for his 10th of the year. Under a minute later on a man advantage Cody Cartier collected a loose puck and went backhand-to-forehand, making it a 3-1 game.

Jacob DeSerres would take over for Lazaruk the rest of the way as Calgary made a goaltending change during the first intermission.

Following a four-goal opening period, the defences for both teams tightened up. The Dinos outshot the Cougars again in the period but more importantly began to sustain some serious pressure in the Mount Royal end. A number of scoring chances in the slot were either stopped by Flette or just went wide as the Cougars held onto their two-goal lead.

The first 15 minutes of the third period were quiet at both ends as the Cougars tried to lock down another win at the 'Dome. The Dinos received just their second power play of the game with just over four minutes left in regulation. From the top of the right face-off circle, Collins ripped a shot that sailed over the right shoulder of Flette for his 18th goal of the season.

Calgary would take a late third period penalty before pulling DeSerres for an extra attacker in the final minute. Collecting a down-low cross-crease pass from Taylor Stefishen, Collins notched his second-straight goal with seven seconds left on the clock, sending the game to overtime.

A minute into the four-on-four overtime period, Calgary was assessed another penalty as Kevin King was sent off for two-minutes. From the left side, Brown tried to fire a pass to Cartier on the opposite side. Instead though, the puck got a piece of Gannon in front of the net and found a way through DeSerres for the game-winning goal. The goal was Gannon's second of the evening and his fourth point.

Calgary outshot Mount Royal in the game 27-23. The Dinos were 1-2 on the power play, while the Cougars went 2-6.

The Dinos close out the 2013-14 season next week with a home-and-home versus the No. 1 Golden Bears. The final road game will be played on Feb. 14 in Edmonton, starting at 7 p.m. The teams will get a day off before going at it again on Feb. 16 at the Father David Bauer Arena with a 6 p.m. puck drop.

Mount Royal will also finish the year with a home-and-home. The Cougars will play the last-placed Lethbridge Pronghorns at home on Feb. 14 before traveling to Lethbridge for their final game of the regular season.

-UC-