CALGARY – The Trinity Western Spartans completed a crucial weekend sweep with a 4-1 win over the University of Calgary Dinos women's hockey team on Saturday at Father David Bauer Arena.

Kyra McDonald led the way for the Spartans, recording the first hat trick in Trinity Western women's hockey history.

The Spartans now hold a 12-11-1-0 record and have built an 11-point gap in the standings between them and the Dinos at 6-14-1-1.

"I think we played well and controlled a lot of the play as we made some good plays with the puck. The team worked hard in battles, and I thought there was things we can definitely build on," stated Dinos head coach Josh Gosling. "Discipline is the main thing for us right now, we didn't change it, and it bit us as we allowed power play goals."

After a slow start offensively to Saturday afternoon's game, the Spartans managed a late tally to seized momentum before the first intermission. On a power play, McDonald skated off the wall and into the slot where a quick release beat Dinos goaltender Amelia Awad.

Trinity Western extended their lead to 2-0 when Kara Yackel caught a breakaway pass from Kyra Anderson. Calgary defender Caitlyn Perlinger worked hard to get back into the play and attempted to disrupt Yackle, but a well-placed shot found its way into the bottom right corner of the net.

The Dinos responded with their first goal of the game with just over five minutes to go in the middle frame. Hannah Reagh hopped off the bench and immediately found herself in the middle of the play. A battle along the left side wall placed the puck in Reagh's path as she picked off the puck, took off towards and the goal, and roofed a shot over the glove hand of Spartans netminder Olivia Davidson. 

McDonald's strong performance shut down any Calgary comeback attempt. Her second power play goal of the contest came minutes after Reagh had made it a one-goal game, as she took advantage of a scramble in the crease and tapped the puck in.

An empty net goal with just over two minutes remaining in the third period completed the three-goal night for McDonald.

"Moving into next weekend it's all about our pride and playing for this team and the program and going to work every day. We'll come ready and push that pace to be ready to go," said Gosling.

The Dinos now look ahead to the Crowchild Classic which will take place at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Friday, Jan. 31. Tickets are on sale now at GoDinos.com/cc.

The Spartans head back home to Langley where they will face off against the Alberta Pandas, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.

-UC-