CALGARY - The Mount Royal University Cougars will be heading to the quarter-finals after sweeping the weekend against the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds. After an evenly matched first period, the Cougars earned two late goals to close the weekend.

The Cougars were celebrating their Seniors Night at the Flames Community Arenas, awarding each of the graduating players with a bouquet and their framed jerseys. 

The first period was a struggle for control as each team tried to set a fresh momentum following the previous night's match. They pushed into the offensive and tried to capitalize on a power play awarded to each side. The Cougars goalie Kaitlyn Ross was fending off just as many shots as the Thunderbirds goalie Tory Micklash, turning away five each. The period ended in a stalemate of no goals. 

The tensions were running higher in the second as the teams pushed for an advantage. Finding an opportunity on one of the power plays, Cougars assistant captain Daria O'Neill pushed through the Thunderbirds defensive line to sink the puck past Micklash, earning her second goal of the season. The Thunderbirds regrouped and attempted several plays on the Cougars net, but were unable to land a goal by the buzzer. 

Mount Royal was leading a heavy offensive early in the third, putting some pressure on the Thunderbirds defenders. In the last five minutes of play, Mount Royal's Anna Purschke slipped through B.C.'s defenses to further the Cougars' lead, assisted by Jayden Thorpe. The Thunderbirds made a final push to mark the scoreboard, but were thwarted by Ross. 

The Cougars will play in the quarter-final playoffs on Friday, February 14th, against the University of Regina Cougars. It will be broadcasted on CanadaWest.tv, presented by Co-op.