CALGARY- The University of Calgary Dinos fell 4-3 after a late third period comeback wasn't enough against the Mount Royal University Cougars, Saturday evening, Oct. 22nd at the Father David Bauer Arena in Calgary.

"We would have two or three good shifts and get momentum but lose it to penalties, the lesson is it's really hard to win in this league," explained Dinos head coach Mark Howell. "They're a really good team, they compete and play hard, we were close but close isn't what we want."

In a rematch of last nights, Cougars 5-2 victory, neither team could generate much offense as penalties plagued the first period. Mount Royal's greatest chance of the period came at the end of a power play when Maddison Smiley fired a one-timer from the point, Cam Maclise tried to net the rebound but was denied twice by Dinos' goaltender Coleman Vollrath. Vollrath continued to dominate the period stopping all 14 shots that came his way.
 
Calgary found its way onto the score sheet mid-way through the middle stanza. Dylan Busenius fed Cain Franson a cross-ice pass, Franson stepped into Mount Royal's zone cutting across the blue-line before putting a quick slap shot on net. Dylan Walchuk followed the play up potting Franson's rebound in for his first of the season.
 
The Cougars would counter just three minutes later on a Dinos turnover. Jamel Watson chipped the puck up the boards to Devin Gannon who cut across the slot and put a back hand shot on Vollrath who stopped the first shot but was unable to stop Luke Simpson from tying the game at 1-1.
 
The Dinos and Cougars continued to exchange penalties in the third period, but it would be the Cougars to break the tie eight minutes into the third period. Maclise stripped a Dino of the puck in front of the net, continuing across the crease before going back hand, over Vollrath's pad and in.
 
Mount Royal increased their lead to 3-1 four minutes later, Colton Waltz hit David Stephens with a cross ice pass. Stephens shot a quick back hand on net for Simpson to put in the rebound for his second of the game and season.
 
The Cougars would score once more in the third to solidify the victory on the power play. Brett Zarazun passed the puck to Matt Brown behind the net who tucked the puck in between the post and Vollrath.
 
"In the second and the third we had three kills. You get going and then your top guys get tired because you're killing penalties," noted Howell.
 
Calgary closed the scoring gap with under two minutes remaining in the game. Logan Fisher won the draw to the blocker side of Colin Cooper before passing to Luke Harrison in front of the net. Harrison redirected Fisher's pass in for the Dinos second goal of the evening.
 
The Dinos made a last ditch effort, pulling Vollrath for the extra attacker and scoring to come within one goal of the Cougars lead with 23 seconds left. Drydn Dow wrist a shot on net, Cooper made the initial save but Walchuk was there to tap in the rebound. It wouldn't be enough however as Mount Royal won the game and swept the weekend series.
 
"Our group needs to learn how hard you have to play; how hard you have to practice to be really good," stated Howell. "Right now we're going to ride a roller coaster until they figure out and we figure out as a group how hard and how well we have to do things."

Mount Royal will play a home-and-home series against the University of Alberta Golden Bears next weekend, Oct.28-29th.
 
The Dinos will play a home-and-home series against the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns. Travelling to Lethbridge Friday evening before returning to home ice Saturday. Puck will drop at 6 o'clock on Oct. 29th at the Father David Bauer Arena.
 
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