Cinderella story continues for Mount Royal with semifinal win on Saturday night

MONTRÉAL, QC. (U SPORTS) - Kaitlyn Ross made 22 saves to lead the No. 8-seeded Mount Royal Cougars to a 3-1 win over the No. 5 Montréal Carabins in the first championship semifinal of the 2023 U SPORTS Women's Hockey Championship at CEPSUM in Montréal on Saturday evening.

Tensions were high in the opening frame, with neither team able to find the back of the net. Each team had a powerplay opportunity, but the goalies combined for 16 saves resulting in a scoreless tie after the first period.

Mount Royal opened the scoring just 1:30 into the second with a powerplay goal from Alex Spence. Montréal came back and had the momentum for the rest of the period, but Kaitlyn Ross shut the door for the Cougars. The netminder had two big breakaway saves to preserve a 1-0 Cougars lead after two.

The Carabins found an answer midway through the third period on a goal from Amélie Poire-Lehoux. When it looked like Montréal may have a chance to turn the game around, the Cougars found the back of the net just two minutes later at the hands of Morgan Ramsay. Kaia Borbandy added a third goal with Montréal's net empty to seal the 3-1 win.

Kaitlyn Ross was Mount Royal's player of the game, stopping 22 of 23 shots. Aube Racine made 22 saves on 24 shots in the loss for Montréal.

With the win, MRU advances to the championship final, where they await the winner of the Concordia-UBC game at 7:00 p.m. (Eastern). Montréal will face the loser of the other semifinal in the bronze medal game on Sunday at 3 p.m. (Eastern). All games at the championship can be seen on CBC Sports digital platforms (English) and at usports.ca (French).