On Saturday, Feb. 19, the Cougars women's hockey team clinched first place in Canada West standings with a 16-2-1 record and 34 points. This is the first time in Mount Royal / Canada West era history the women's hockey team has earned first-place in the conference. 

The women's strong performance during the regular season provides them with a first-round bye, but will host a three-game semi-finals series on March 4, 5 and if necessary on March 6. The women's semi-final games will begin at 6 p.m. at Flames Community Arena on Friday, March 4. The Cougars will await the results of the Canada West women's hockey quarter-final games to determine their opponent on March 4-6. 

Tickets for the women's semi-final hockey games can be purchased here. 

The 2021-22 season marks the fifth consecutive year the women have earned a Canada West playoff spot. After their silver-medal finish against the University of Alberta Pandas in the 2019-20 season followed by an appearance that was cut short at U SPORTS Nationals due to COVID-19, the women's hockey team is on an a mission of redemption to earn both a gold medal in Canada West and a spot at nationals to finalize "un-finished business." 

Third-year science student and forward Courtney Kollman led the women's team in scoring with 19 points (8G, 11A) in 19 regular season games, earning a sixth-place position in the Canada West points race. While Kollman has been a standout, it's been a true team effort among the women with the likes of Tianna Ko, Tatum Amy, Aliya Jomha, Mackenzie Butz and Anna Purschke contributing to the scoring power of the team with at least 10 points or more this season a piece. It's this team effort that has allowed the women to put on one of the most impressive women's hockey performances since Mount Royal joined Canada West in 2012. 

Credit can also be given to the Cougars' netminders Zoe De Beauville and Kaitlyn Ross for the team's impressive finish. While De Beauville sits second among all Canada West netminders with a 11-0-2 record in 13 games, 1.15 goals-against average, .942 save percentage and five shutouts, Ross leads goaltenders overall with a 5-2-0 record in six games, .98 GAA, .950 SV% and two shutouts. Combined, De Beauville and Ross always provide a strong option in net for the Cougars to fall back on. 

Finishing with 34 points allowed the women to cement their position four points ahead of second place finishers University of British Columbia Thunderbirds and ensure the Cougars hold on to their first-place position for the majority of the season.  

Earlier this week, the Cougars were named to the U SPORTS Top 10 Rankings with their highest rating overall this season and in Mount Royal's varsity team history with a second-place position. The team received six top 10 ranking positions overall, ranging from sixth to second throughout the year. 

Members of the women's hockey team have also received recognition through the Mount Royal Athletes of the Week presented by Players Bench program and the Canada West Women's Hockey Player of the Week award. 

 

Date / Player	MRU Athlete of the Week Award	Canada West women's Hockey Player of the Week Award
Oct. 21 Courtney Kollman	X	X
Oct. 27 Courtney Kollman	X
Nov. 18 Zoe De Beauville	X
Jan. 20 Kaitlyn Ross	X
Feb. 11 Aliya Jomha	X

Although their opponent is not yet known, the women's hockey quarter-final between the Manitoba Bisons and the Saskatchewan Huskies will determined who Mount Royal faces as their first opponent in 2021-22 playoff action.

Don't miss a minute of women's playoff hockey as the first game of the series kicks off on Friday, March 4 at 6 p.m. at Flames Community Arena. Skip the line and purchase your tickets in advance here.