Box Score In an exciting showdown on home ice, the Mount Royal University women's hockey team clashed against the MacEwan University Griffins Friday night. 

The first period saw MRU outshoot the Griffins eight to five, yet neither team managed to score. 

Roughly halfway through the period, MacEwan's Ashton Bender received the sole penalty for holding. Despite the Cougars power play opportunity, the Griffins defence effectively prevented any goals.  

The second period was full of action.

Approximately four minutes in, Griffins Mila Verbicky received a slashing penalty, granting the Cougars a power play opportunity. 

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Breanne Trotter notched the first points of the game, assisted by teammates Allee Gerrard and Aliya Jomha. 

Shortly after, MRU's Ava Metzger was penalized for holding, reversing the power play advantage back to the Griffins. Despite being down a player, MRU's Gabby Lindsay extended the Cougars lead by finding the net on a breakaway.  

Midway through the period, Griffins Allee Isley incurred a hooking penalty, offering the Cougars another power play opportunity. 

Seizing this chance to extend their lead, MRU's Breanne Trotter scored her second goal of the evening, assisted by Allee Gerrard and Jerzey Watteyne.

Three minutes later, MRU's Abbey Borbandy was penalized for body checking, giving the Griffins a power play opportunity. The Griffins capitalized on this chance, as Jesse Jack scored the first points of the game for her team. She was assisted by Mila Verbicky and Joie Simon. 

In the last five minutes of the period, MRU faced two penalties, granting the Griffins a five-on-three advantage. Alex Spence received a penalty for body checking and Jori Hansen-Young for a delay of game. 

Despite being down two players, the Cougars defence effectively prevented any goals. 

Roughly four minutes into the third period, Griffins Shaelyn Hopkins was penalized for tripping. The Griffins defence was effective in preventing any goals during MRU's power play opportunity.

Halfway through the period, MRU's Lyndsey Janes received a hooking penalty, giving the Griffins an opportunity to score on a power play advantage. However, the Cougars were able to fend off any goal attempts. 

In the last five minutes of the game, MRU extended their lead further with Allee Gerrard finding the net, assisted by teammate Aliya Jomha. 

The last three minutes of the game saw MRU's Jordyn Hutt receive a bodychecking penalty, granting the Griffins a power play advantage. 

Seconds later, Griffins Kali MacDonald was penalized for interference, creating a four-on-four game. Neither team was able to secure additional points.   

The Cougars successfully defended their home turf, securing a 4 – 1 victory over the Griffins. 

"It takes a lot of teamwork," said player of the game Breanne Trotter. "We were all working together."

The Mount Royal University women's hockey team will play their next home game against the University of Saskatchewan on Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here.