Box Score MHCKY: MRU (3) at REG (2)

The Mount Royal Cougars advance to semi-finals after defeating the University of Regina Cougars in overtime, 3-2, Saturday at Flames Community Arena.
 
"That was not easy. We stuck with it, we persevered, we got a goal in the end, and then the big guys came through in overtime," said MRU Head Coach, Bert Gilling.
 
Riley Krane received a two-minute penalty and a 10-minute misconduct for a hit to the head on Riley Sawchuk just over a minute into the first period.
 
Connor Blake found Andrew Fyten at the bottom of the left circle. Fyten's shot snuck passed Brandon Holtby, hugging his near side post.
 
Regina answered back five minutes later. Blake attempted to bring down a puck that was launched into the air and drop it at his feet. Tanner Sidaway, with an aggressive forecheck, picked up the loose puck and slipped it past Blake., Sidaway released a puck from the right faceoff circle, beating Riley Morris and tying the game.
 
Mike Eskra spotted Conner Chaulk on the back door from behind the net. Chaulk one-timed the feed from Eskra over the right pad of a fully stretched out Morris to take a 2-1 lead with two minutes left in the first.
 
Regina came out hungry in the second period to add to their one-goal lead, controlling the majority of play and having eight chances on net. The Cougars' defensive efforts were evident as they made it quite difficult for MRU to get set up in the offensive zone.
 
Regina was heavy on the forecheck and backcheck, creating turnovers and limiting their opponent's ability to move the puck. MRU was still able to register 10 shots on goal in the second despite the rock-solid defence of Regina.
 
After a scoreless second, MRU tied the game up with a minute and thirty-four seconds remaining in the third, sending the game into overtime.
 
The Cougars pulled Morris with two minutes to give them an extra attacker. A Regina player broke his stick and accidentally created a six on four opportunity. Fyten spotted Kyler Walker with the cross-ice feed through the high slot. Walker, from one knee, one-timed his shot past Holtby's glove hand.
 
"It wasn't the outcome we wanted, but we all battled hard. Tough to get scored on with a minute left. It's been a pleasure playing with the guys here," said Holtby.
 
MRU entered overtime on an offensive zone rush. A Regina player's stick redirected Levi Kleiboer's initial pass to the right corner onto the tape of Nolan Yaremko. Yaremko, at the top of the crease, gathered the puck and popped it over a sprawling Holtby to win the game and send his team to the semi-finals.
 
"A lot of goals are scored in those dirty areas. It's a lucky bounce. It just happened that way that I got a lucky bounce off the stick and just got it on net. Anything can happen in overtime," said Yaremko.
 
The University of Regina completed the regular season fifth in Canada West with a 10-9-1 record.
 
"We took a step forward this year. For the last three years, we've been moving in the right direction. It's exciting for where we are going," said Regina Head Coach Todd Johnson. 
 
MRU will now face the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds, who finished narrowly ahead in second place in Canada West standings with 29 points. However, when the regular-season matchup between UBC and MRU took place on Feb. 4 and 5, the Cougars dominantly defeated the Thunderbirds in 6-2 and 5-3 wins, respectively.
 
If the Cougars continue to play a full 60 and leave it all out on the ice, some could argue the Cougars will have a strong case against the Thunderbirds to challenge their finish in Canada West standings. The challenge will come with UBC owning home-ice advantage and the Cougars playing on the road in the semi-finals.
 
The Thunderbirds will host the Cougars for the best-of-three series beginning Friday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. PT and will follow suit with a 7:30 p.m. PT game Saturday, March 5, and if necessary, on March 6. Catch the series on Canada West presented by Co-op.

Player of the Game: Nolan Yaremko