CALGARY – Julia Duke was the hero for Mount Royal University, as the Cougars downed the University of Calgary Dinos 2-1 in overtime in Saturday night Canada West women's hockey action.

Calgary opened the scoring early, only to see MRU tie things up in the second before Duke's OT winner in this defensive battle.

With the win, the Cougars move to 13-2-1 on the year, while Calgary slips to 11-4-3 after suffering their first weekend sweep of the year.

Playing in her 100th career game, Josie McLeod slid a pass across to the ice to Eden Carius, who fired a fluttering shot into the top corner to make it 1-0 less than four minutes into the contest.

The Dinos held the lead into the first period, much in part to the outstanding play between the pipes from rookie goaltender Alyssa Barrette. The first year was making just her second start after recording a shutout in her debut on Nov. 15 against Trinity Western. Despite the loss in this one, Barrette made 20 saves to continue her stellar start to her Canada West career.

Along with McLeod, two other players were playing in their 100th game. Fellow Dinos' forward Sydney Mercier reached the century mark on Saturday. The league's second second-leading goal scorer was held off the scoresheet however, with Mount Royal prioritizing shutting her down.

In the second period, the Mount Royal drew level. Sydney Benko scored her team-leading eighth of the season. The veteran forward pulled off an incredible toe drag before ripping a shot past the glove of Barrette.

Despite four powerplays in the game, Calgary was unable to take advantage of their opportunities. The Cougars' penalty kill did an excellent job of suppressing the Dinos' offence with the extra skater, led by Kaia Borbandy.

While shorthanded in the third, the Cougars had their best chance of the period to break the 1-1 deadlock when Borbandy found Gabby Lindsay wide open in the slot while on a rush. However, Barrette came up huge and made the stop.

After 60 minutes, the rival squads remained tied at one and three-on-three overtime was needed.

In the extra period, Duke used her speed to rush around the Dinos, ripping a shot from the right flank. Although Barrette got a piece of it, the puck trickled across the line to win the game for Mount Royal.

The win marks the Cougars' 12th victory in their last 13 games and keeps them ahead of the Dinos in the standings.

Mount Royal netminder Scout Anderson made 21 saves to improve her personal record to 9-0-1.

Calgary is now off for over a month, returning to the ice Jan. 9 at home as they host Regina to start the second semester.

-UC-