CALGARY - Game two of the Canada West quarter final series between the fourth seed Mount Royal Cougars (18-0-0-2) and the fifth seed UBC thunderbirds took place Saturday night. The Cougars won the night 5-3.
Saturday's starting goalies were Riley Toth for UBC and Wyatt Hoflin for the home squad.
The Cougars jumped off to a quick start in this one, scoring just 39 seconds into the game. Keegan Iverson broke through the neutral zone and found Sean Richards who then fed the puck to the team's regular season points leader Riley Lindgren. He made no mistake finding the top corner of the net, giving the Cougars an early lead.
The teams were busy in the first with a total of 9 penalties being given out. Neither team would be able to take advantage though as the period ends with the Cougars up one to zero. Shots in the first period for the Cougars 13 and for the Thunderbirds nine.
The second period started the same as the first with another early goal from Lindgren, this time just 31 seconds into the frame. Jesse Lees entered the zone with the puck and rang a shot off the post - there to make it a two-goal lead was Lindgren for his second of the night.
The Thunderbirds would respond with a tip in goal three minutes into the period as Quinn Benjafield nudged in a shot from James Orban to bring UBC within one. Less than two minutes later Lindgren would complete the hat trick on the power play with another snipe from the top of the circle Connor Blake and Connor Rankin would get the assists for the goal.
UBC got into some penalty trouble halfway through the second allowing the Cougars a five on three power play for 48 seconds. The Thunderbirds would be able to kill it off and keep the game at a two-goal difference. The rest of the middle frame was back and forth with both teams having solid opportunities but the goaltenders would keep the score three to one for Mount Royal. Total shots in the second period were 11 for the Cougars and nine for the Thunderbirds.
The third period started with the Cougars on a power play advantage. It took a while longer but the Cougars would strike first in the final frame when Nolan Yaremko made a powerful backhand wraparound attempt and tucked the puck home through a crowded crease. Assists on the goal go to Connor Rankin and Tyson Helgesen.
The Thunderbirds would respond right away with a goal from Matt Revel off a passing play from Shaun Dosanjh and Anthony Bishop, making the score four to two for Mount Royal. They would tally another four minutes later off a lucky bounce. Jake Kryski had the puck behind the net and threw it out in front where it hit a Cougars defender and fooled Hoflin bringing the game within one.
UBC pulled the goalie with a minute left, but wouldn't be able to capitalize as Lindgren collected his fourth of the night with the empty netter. The Cougars got 7 shots in the third for a total of 32 and UBC added another 9 for a total of 27.
The Thunderbirds will now join the Cougars in fighting for their season. Head coach Sven Butenschon says they will have to clean things up if they want to make the next round of the playoffs. "We have to find our game I still don't think in both games we have played our game regardless of winning yesterday. It would be frustrating for me if we get through tomorrow and don't put a complete 60 minute in."
Cougars head coach had this to say about his team's effort in tonight's match: "I was really happy that we rose up today and matched their tenacity and work ethic. I thought we brought a lot of energy to the game and it should be a great game 3 tomorrow."
The Cougars take this one by a final score of five to three and the series will now head to a third deciding game Sunday night at 7:30 P.M. MST at the Flames Community Arenas. It will be broadcasted on CanadaWest.tv, presented by Co-op.
