Returning to the arena for their last home game of the regular season, the Mount Royal University men's hockey team faced off against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies after defeating them Friday night. 

The game commenced with the recognition of Cougar's captain Connor Blake, who graduates this year and aims to lead his team to their first-ever U SPORTS championship title as playoffs begin in two weeks. 

Playing a significant role with the team, Blake has currently participated in a total of 112 games, accumulating 15 goals and 72 assists for the Cougars. 

The Cougars secured the lead in the first period of the game.

Within the first four minutes, the Cougars received a two-minute penalty for having too many players on the ice, served by Moe Hakim. 

This provided the Huskies with an early advantage. However, the Cougars defence effectively prevented the Huskies offence from taking the lead.  

With just over two minutes remaining in the period, Huskies Keaton Sorensen received a two-minute roughing penalty, providing the Cougars a power play advantage near the end of the period.  

The Cougars seized the opportunity less than 30 seconds into the power play, as Connor Bouchard scored the opening goal, putting them into a 1 – 0 lead with assists from Clayton Hanus and Connor Blake. 

Beginning the period at a disadvantage, the Huskies Dawson Holt received a two-minute penalty for cross checking, giving the Cougars a chance to further extend their lead. 

Limiting the Cougars offensive options, the Huskies managed to deter the puck from finding their net. 

Immediately after, Cougars Robbie Holmes was penalized for hooking. 

Taking the power play advantage as an opportunity to respond, Landon Kosior of the Huskies leveled the score 1 – 1, with assists from Vince Loschiavo and Chantz Petruic. 

Just over the halfway mark, Robbie Fromm-Delorme of the Cougars and Shane Collins of the Huskies both received two-minute roughing penalties, resulting in a four-on-four game. 

With nine minutes remaining in the period, the Cougars found the net. However, the goal was denied due to goaltender interference from Dawson Milliken, granting the Huskies a power play advantage.

Shortly after, Connor Bouchard of the Cougars extended their lead to 2 – 1, with an assist from Jaden Senkoe.

Tristan Zandee of the Cougars picked up the team's fourth penalty of the period for interference with just over four minutes remaining, granting the Huskies another power play advantage. 

With the Cougars having a player down, the Huskies Liam Keeler quickly managed to score, bringing the score to 2 – 2. He was assisted by Chantz Petruic and Landon Kosior. 

Seconds later, Carter Stebbings of the Huskies and Connor Bouchard of the Cougars both received two-minute penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct, resulting in a four-on-four game. 

Almost immediately following the penalties, Cougars Robbie Holmes received a five-minute major charging penalty, resulting in a three-on-four game. 

With a minute remaining on the power play, the Huskies began the third period with an early advantage. 

Less than a minute into the period, Shane Collins of the Huskies scored, bringing his team to a 3 – 2 lead over the Cougars. He received assists from Liam Keeler and Vince Loschiavo. 

Shortly after, Robbie Fromm-Delorme of the Cougars received a two-minute high-sticking penalty, giving the Huskies another power play advantage.

However, the Cougars defence prevented any shots from finding the net.  

Near the halfway mark of the period, the Huskies received a two-minute penalty for having too many players on the ice, served by Mark Rumsey. 

Despite being down a player, the Huskies managed to score, with Keaton Sorensen extending their lead to 4 – 2. He was assisted by Ben Tkachuk and Cole Jordan. 

In the last three minutes of the period, the Cougars opted for an aggressive strategy, pulling their goalie to create a six-on-five game. 

Working in their favour, Tristan Zandee of the Cougars found the Huskies net, bringing the score to 3 – 4. He was assisted by Connor Blake and Clayton Hanus. 

The Cougars ultimately fell to the Huskies 3 – 4 in their home arena. 

The Mount Royal University men's hockey team will conclude their regular season with games at the University of British Columbia next weekend.