Vancouver, BC - The Mount Royal Cougars snapped their seven game losing skid, winning their fifth game of the season and just second game of the year on the road, defeating the UBC Thunderbirds men's hockey team 4-3 Friday night at Father David Bauer Arena. Cougars goaltender Dalyn Flette was the game's first star, stopping 40 shots in the night, including 14 in the final period.
BOX SCORE
Mount Royal rallied from a 2-0 deficit, scoring three goals in the second period, including the eventual game winner with 37.5 seconds left in the middle stanza. The Cougars leading scorer Eric Galbraith led the way with three points on the night.
Fresh off an impressive weekend in Saskatchewan, the Thunderbirds picked up right where they left off putting pressure on the visitors from the opening whistle. UBC opened the scoring 6:20 into the first period as Jessi Hilton (Sherwood Park, AB) scored his fourth goal of the season to put the Thunderbirds up 1-0. The very next shift, the hard working line of Cole Pruden (Winnipeg, MB), Michael Wilgosh (Selkirk, MB), and Joe Antilla (Madeira Park, BC) produced another goal. Wilgosh banged in a loose puck in front to give UBC a 2-0 lead. The Cougars though would get on the board before the period was out. Leading scorer Eric Galbraith picked up a puck at centre, blew by the defender, and beat Steven Stanford (Calgary, AB) low to the stick side to cut the lead to 2-1. Mount Royal just about tied it up shorthanded, but Stanford made a nice save on Jeremy Burns in tight to keep it 2-1 through 20 minutes of play. Shots were 17-5 for UBC in the first period.
The 'Birds kept their foot on the gas early in the second period, producing a number of chances. Nate Fleming (St.Albert, AB) was sent in on a shorthanded breakaway, but was stopped by Flette. Fleming along with Wyatt Hamilton (Cochrane, AB) banged away at the rebound, which eventually was covered up in the crease by a Cougars player glove resulting in a penalty shot. Hamilton was selected to take it, but was stopped by Flette. A play that would turn the tide of the game. Later on the power play, Tyler Jewitt came off the half wall and beat Stanford high to the blocker side to tie the game at 2-2. The Cougars took their first lead of the game on a 2-on-1. Devin Gannon's pass was originally knocked down by Jason Yee (Victoria, BC), but it bounced right back on to Gannon's stick for the tap in to make it 3-2 for Mount Royal. UBC responded just over a minute later. Cole Wilson (White Rock, BC) beat Flette five hole for his team leading 13th goal of the year, tieing the game 3-3. The Cougars had more offence in them in the period, as Jewitt scored his second goal of the game with only 37.5 seconds left in the second period to put the visitors in front 4-3 after 40 minutes.
Flette continued to be the story of the game in the third period, stopping shot after shot. The Cougars had a chance to extend their lead with 11:30 left in the game. Brenden Turnbull was hauled down on a breakaway by Mike McGurk (Hamilton, ON) and was awarded a penalty shot. Just like Hamilton earlier in the night, Turnbull could not find the back of the net as Stanford made the save to keep it a one goal game. UBC had a late power play, but were unable to capitalize. Flette made 14 saves in the period and 40 on the night to preserve the 4-3 victory for Mount Royal.
Final shots were 43-14 for UBC. The Thunderbirds finished 0-for-3 on the power play, while the Cougars went 1-for-3.
With the loss UBC (12-8-3) remain in fifth place in the Canada West standings with 27 points, but Regina (12-9-2) is nipping on their heels just one point back. Calgary (14-9-0) is in fourth place with 28 points, Saskatchewan (15-7-1) sits in third spot with 31 points, Manitoba (14-5-4) is in second place with 32 points, and Alberta (19-4-0) leads the way with 38 points.
The Thunderbirds and Cougars are back in action tomorrow afternoon at Father David Bauer Arena. Puck drop is 2:30 pm.
