Box Score The Mount Royal University Men's hockey team kicked off the new year with their first game, facing the University of Manitoba Bisons in a home clash on Friday evening. 

Wrapping up 2023 with 13 victories out of 18 games, The Cougars secured the third-place position in the conference as they geared up for the second half of the season. 

The Cougars dominated their opponents in the first period of the game. 

They gained an early advantage when the Bisons Josh Paulhus received a crosschecking penalty less than five minutes into the game, giving MRU the power play. 

Despite being down a player, U of M managed to defend their net. 

Shortly after, MRU's Blake Stevenson scored the game's first points, securing a 1 – 0 lead over the Bisons with assists from Tim Gould and Spencer Moe.

Seconds later, MRU's Kurtis Smythe found the net, extending the Cougars lead to 2 – 0, with assists by Tim Gould and Tristan Zandee. 

With just over five minutes remaining in the period, Cougars Robbie Fromm-Delorme brought his team to a 3 – 0 lead heading into the second period. 

Connor Blake received a tripping penalty for MRU with roughly four minutes remaining in the period. 

The Cougars outshot the Bison 14 – 7. 

The Cougars maintained their momentum heading into the second period. 

Just two minutes into the period, Cougars Tristan Zandee extended their lead to 4 – 0, with an assist from Robbie Fromm-Delorme. 

Over two minutes later, Robbie Fromm-Delorme scored his second goal of the night, bringing the Cougars lead to 5 – 0, with an assist from Connor Bouchard. 

Seconds later, Connor Bouchard scored his first goal of the game, assisted by Tanner Brown, further extending the Cougars lead to 6 – 0. 

Following these goals, multiple penalties occurred within a one-minute period. 

U of M's Kian Calder received a roughing penalty, giving the Cougars a powerplay advantage. 

Seconds later, Bisons Ryan Gottfried and Cougars Jaden Senkoe received roughing penalties simultaneously. 

20 seconds later, U of M's Jackson Arpin was penalized for tripping. 

Shortly after, Cougars Connor Bouchard scored his second goal of the evening, bringing the Cougars to a 7 – 0 lead, with assists from Connor Blake and Clayton Hanus. 

At the halfway point of the period, MRU's Jaden Senkoe received a penalty for goaltending interference, giving the Bisons a power play advantage. The Cougars defence was effective in preventing any goals. 

Less than two minutes later, Bisons Noah Basarab and Cougars Connor Bouchard and Tim Gould all received roughing penalties. 

Just over halfway through the third period, Cougars Spencer Moe received his first penalty of the game for roughing, granting the Bisons a powerplay opportunity. 

The Cougars effectively defended their net, preventing any goals.

With just under seven minutes remaining in the game, MRU's Clayton Hanus scored his first goal of the game, extending the Cougars lead to 8 – 0. He was assisted by Tim Gould and Tristan Zandee. 

Nine seconds later, Cougars Jaden Senkoe brought his team to an even further lead, extending it to 9 – 0, with assists from Robbie Fromm-Delorme and Connor Bouchard. 

The Cougars secured an impactful 9 – 0 victory over the Bisons in their opening match of 2024. 

The Mount Royal University men's hockey team will take on the University of Manitoba again on Jan. 13. The puck is set to drop at 3 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here.