CALGARY - The University of Calgary Dinos are looking to build off of their second victory of the season as they take on their crosstown rivals, the Mount Royal Cougars, Friday night at Father David Bauer Arena in Calgary.
"We're focusing on working off of the win because we have finally found how we work together and our true potential when we work as a team," said assistant captain, Heather Berzins. "We want to keep our momentum going and play a full 60 minutes."
Despite being second last in the CanadaWest standings, the Mount Royal Cougars are off to their best start since the 2012-2013 season with 5 wins in 12 games, nearly matching their total of 6 wins in the 2014-2015 season. The Cougars' goaltending has been a key factor in their early success, with both of their netminders above a 0.930 save percentage.
"We've been working a lot on trying to get odd man rushes, and chances in front by getting the puck to the net," explained Berzins. "We're talented enough to put the puck in the net we just have to get it there. We've been working hard and are looking forward to playing MRU."
DETAILS
• Date: Friday, November 20
• Start time: 7 p.m.
• Venue: Father David Bauer Arena, Calgary
• Broadcast: Canadawest.tv
HEADLINES
• First weekend of Crowchild Classic action between the cross-town rivals
• Mount Royal won the season series 3-1 in four meetings in the 2014-2015 season; three of the four meetings last season were one goal games
• Both teams are coming off of a split weekend series, with both teams winning at home on Saturday, Nov. 14
CALGARY DINOS (2-10)
Last week: The Dinos split the weekend series against the Pandas, with an 8-2 loss Friday in Edmonton and 2-1 win Saturday in Calgary.
Next week: The Dinos will travel to Vancouver to take on the UBC Thunderbirds.
• Dinos ended a 7 game losing streak last Saturday with a 2-1 win over the Pandas for their second victory of the season.
• Calgary's 5th year forward, Iya Gavrilova is the current CanadaWest point leader with 5 goals and 9 assists in 12 games.
• The last time Calgary defeated Mount Royal was a 3-2 win in their 2014-2015 season opener (Oct. 3, 2014).
• Dinos rookie goaltender Sarah Murray had her first victory as a CIS goaltender last Saturday.
MOUNT ROYAL UNIVERSITY COUGARS (5-7)
Last week: Mount Royal split their weekend series at home with a 5-2 loss and a 6-2 victory against the University of Regina Cougars.
Next week: The Cougars will host the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.
• The Cougars have won 3 of their last four games against Lethbridge and Regina.
• Veteran defencemen Jocelyn Froelich leads the team in points with 7 (all assists) and in plus/minus (+8).
• Mount Royal goaltenders Jessica Ross and Emma Pincott have been splitting the starting duties; they are leading the league in save percentages, at 0.932 and 0.931 respectively.
-UC-
