CALGARY - The Mount Royal University Cougars earned a hard fought 1-0 victory over the University of Calgary Dinos in the second game of the Crowchild Classic Friday night at Flames Community Arenas. The win avenged a tough loss for the Cougars in last nights game, where they fell to the Dinos 1-0.
After an exciting defensive battle at the Saddledome last night, both teams came out of the gate with high energy. Dinos goaltender Kelsey Roberts was outstanding in yesterday's match posting her sixth shutout of the season, and she picked up right where she left off in this one. MRU controlled the puck for most of the period, creating scoring chances on two power plays.
After Dinos forward Carley Wiad went to the box for tripping at 8:10, the Cougars went to work creating nice puck movement in Dinos zone. Roberts held strong on the power play turning aside Mairi Sorensen's soft blue line wrist shot, then stoning Nicolette Seper's attempt on the rebound.
Rachel Piitz, who was also coming off an impressive performance in a losing effort in last night game, was sprung on a partial break 13:16 into the period, but was unable to get a quality shot off due to a hook by Dinos Rachel Paul, putting the Cougars back on the power play. Despite multiple quality chances by MRU, they were once again unable to put anything past Roberts, who stopped all 8 shots she face in the period taking the game into the first intermission tied at zero.
The Cougars continued to dominate puck control in the second period, but struggled to find the back of the net early.
Just 50 seconds into the frame Cougars speedy forward Tianna Ko ripped a shot on net after flying down the side of the ice. Ko was flattened by a Dinos defender after the save was made, but went to the penalty box for unsportsmanlike conduct.
On the power play, Cougars impressive net minder Zoe De Beauville did a good job a managing what little pressure she faced from the struggling Dinos offence.
The Cougars would finally break through Robert on the power play after a slashing call on
Kate Lumley 14:38 into the period. MRU's power play unit controlled the puck in the Dinos zone with gorgeous puck movement, capped off by Anna Purschke's 4th goal of the season off tick-tack-toe passes from Channia Alexander and Nicolette Seper as the power play came to an end.
The Cougars outshot the Dinos 9-5 in the period and took a one-goal lead into the third period.
The Dinos battled hard in the third to even the game up. They fired off four quick shots within the first two minutes of play but were unable to put one past De Beauville.
MRU went to the power play at 3:52 when Kira Makuk went to the box for interference. Despite a couple coring opportunities, the Cougars were unable to put this one on ice.
Tianna Ko went to the box for her 2nd minor penalty of the game at 8:23. Dino Delaney Frey came close to tying the game up when she snipped a quick snap shot from the blue line through traffic, but De Beauville was there to make the save with her body.
The last scoring opportunity for the Dinos came when Rachel Paul sent a shot through traffic which was tipped by Laine Grace. A similar play to which the Dinos scored on last night, this time with a different result, as De Beauville shut her down. The Dino's would then pull Roberts but failed to produce any real chances.
The 1-0 victory improves the Cougars record 7-14-3-0 as they attempt to make a final push for the playoffs. Zoe De Beauville was solid in the win, picking up her 5th shutout of the season. Anna Purschke's lone goal proved to be the difference, which earned her first star honours.
The Dinos get set to welcome the Regina Cougars to Father Daivd Bauer Arena next weekend in a pivotal series that could decide their playoff fate. Puck drop goes at 7 p.m. Friday followed by a 3 p.m. matinee Saturday.
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