Justin McCaffrey, Mount Royal Sports Information

CALGARY – The Mount Royal Cougars scored four times before the halfway point of the first period, running away with their first meeting against Regina, 7-0 at Flames Community Arenas.

Colin Cooper stopped all 26 shots he faced for his second shutout of the season and third of his career.

Mount Royal wasted no time getting on the board in the first. Just 2:24 into the game, Tanner Olstad opened the scoring. Some good work by Luke Simpson down low got the puck to Devin Gannon in the slot. Gannon was tripped but from his stomach managed to shovel the puck to Olstad who was trailing behind him. Olstad one-timed it past MacAuley to give MRU an early lead.

David Stephens added to the Mount Royal lead just two minutes later. Stephens grabbed the puck in the corner and looked to the point. With no one open, Stephens continued with the puck, walking right into the low slot before roofing a backhand.

Regina Head Coach Todd Johnson had seen enough, sparing Dawson MacAuley, taking him out of the game just minutes in. Just 17 seconds after the goaltending change, Grant Baker made it 3-0 beating Mitch Kilgore on the first shot he faced.

Connor Rankin scored a power play goal to make it 4-0 before the midway point of the period. Regina survived two late period penalties, escaping the first only down four.

Regina held it together until the 13:36 mark of the second period when Devin Gannon put the Cougars up five. Gannon used the defender as a screen and ripped a high wrist shot over the shoulder of Kilgore.

Jamal Watson scored Mount Royal's sixth goal on the power play off a feed from Connor Rankin. Colin Cooper stopped all 16 shots he faced and Mount Royal led 6-0 after 40 minutes of play.

David Stephens added his second goal of the game, which stood up as the only goal of the third period.

Mount Royal temporarily moves into a tie for second place in the conference with a record of 6-3-0. Regina's loss, their eighth in their last nine games, gives them a record of 1-8 on the year.

Mount Royal and Regina will have a quick turnaround as the second half of the weekend set goes tomorrow after at 3pm MST at Flames Community Arenas.