The Mount Royal University men's hockey team entered the arena for their second weekend game, facing off against the University of Manitoba following their victorious 9 – 0 triumph on Friday evening.

The Cougars used today's game as an opportunity to show solidarity with the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Players celebrated pride by tapping sticks and wearing rainbow-shaped hearts on the back of their helmets.   

Seven minutes into the first period, MRU's Blake Stevenson received the first penalty after tripping the Bisons goalie, leading to a two-minute power play due to goalie interference. 

Despite being down a player, the Cougars showed resilience in defending their net. 

With just under five minutes remaining in the period, MRU pulled their goalie, creating a six-on-five game. This strategic move proved effective as Robbie Holmes scored, giving them a 1 – 0 lead, with assists from Blake Stevenson and Kyle Walker. 

Shortly after, Bisons Colton Veloso received a two-minute tripping penalty, providing the Cougars with their first power play of the game. 

However, the Bisons successfully fended off any goal attempts made by the Cougars.

Just over two minutes into the second period, chaos ensued in the Cougars half of the ice. 

Bisons Tony Apetagon received three penalties, the first being a five-minute major-boarding penalty, served by teammate Andrew Boucher. 

The second was a 10-minute misconduct penalty, resulting in Apetagon being removed from the game. 

Simultaneously, MRU's Kurtis Smythe and Bisons Apetagon received a two-minute penalty for roughing, resulting in no power player advantages.  

Just over the five-minute mark in the period, Cougars Kyle Walker extended his team's lead to 2 – 0, with assists from Connor Blake and Blake Stevenson. 

Seconds over the halfway mark of the period, the Cougars were penalized for having too many men on the ice. The two-minute penalty was served by Jaden Senkoe, giving the Bisons a power play opportunity. 

The Cougars were successful in defending their net. 

A little over five minutes remaining in the period, Cougars Robbie Holmes received two penalties. One two-minute penalty for a hit to the head, served by teammate Zafir Rawji, and a 10-minute misconduct penalty.  

The last thirty seconds of the period saw Bisons Parker Malchuck receive a two-minute cross checking penalty, giving the Cougars a power play advantage heading into the final period. 

The first penalty of the third period was given to U of M's Jonny Hooker for high sticking, granting MRU another power play opportunity. 

The Cougars were unable to capitalize on the given advantage.

Over six minutes in, Cougars Tanner Brown was also penalized for high sticking, granting a power play opportunity back to the Bisons. 

However, the Bisons were unable to make it past the Cougars defence. 

With under four minutes remaining, Bisons Jackson Arpin received a double minor for kneeing, resulting in a power play opportunity for the Cougars until the end of the game. 

The Bisons made the decision to pull their goalie, bringing the game back to a five-on-five situation. 

The Cougars capitalized on the empty net, with Connor Bouchard scoring in the last minute of the game, assisted by Tanner Brown and Robbie Fromm-Delorme. 

The Cougars ultimately came out victorious, winning 3 – 0 over the Bisons. 

The men's hockey team will play their next game at the Scotiabank Saddledome during the annual Crowchild Classic between Mount Royal University and the University of Calgary. The game takes place Jan. 24 at 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here.