Box Score CALGARY – The Mount Royal University Cougars defeated the Trinity Western University Spartans 6-3 on Friday night, collecting their first sweep of the 2025-26 season.

Mount Royal bench boss Bert Gilling was relieved to get the first sweep of the season and acknowledged the bumpy start to the season.

"It's been an interesting fall. But the one thing about it is the guys have responded every weekend," said Gilling. "It hasn't been easy but the guys have stuck together. It felt like it was just a matter of time."

Coming off a nine-goal performance on Friday, the Cougars were keen to stay hot. 

Just a few minutes into the first, Clay Hanus drew an interference penalty, sending Connor Farren to the box and Mount Royal to the powerplay. 

Fresh off a first-star performance last night, Justin Lies got on the board again on the man advantage to make it 1-0.

MRU doubled their lead a few minutes later after another powerplay had just expired. Josh Tarzwell exhibited excellent patience with the puck on his stick at the goalmouth, drawing the Spartans' defence over before finding Teague Patton for a goal. 

Tarzwell got another phenomenal assist, this time finding Spencer Moe for a tap-in to make it 3-0 on the Cougars' third first-period powerplay.

After coming into the game on Friday for the third period, Raphael Audet got the start on Saturday for Trinity Western. He had a busy night, making 34 saves in the loss.

Audet got some help from his team in the second period, with the Spartans cutting the lead to 3-1. After killing off another penalty, Christian Lowe was sprung for a break and beat MRU netminder Riley Sims five-hole. 

Late in the second, Bowden Singleton got his first goal in six games when a loose puck dropped to his blade as he sniped it into the top corner to make it 4-1. 

Layton Feist then got his second of the year, less than a minute later to give the Cougars a stranglehold heading into the final frame.

But the Spartans were determined to stay in it. Jonathan Krahn and Christian Lowe scored two powerplay goals in less than two minutes to make it just a two-goal game with lots of time to play in the third.

Krahn and Lowe each registered their second multipoint game of the season.

"We had our own powerplay to start the third which was a little unorganized and then the two quick goals hurt us. We kind of shot ourselves in the foot," said Gilling on the Cougars' third-period struggles.

Mount Royal got a valuable third powerplay goal to restore their three-goal cushion. Blake Stevenson got his second tally of the weekend to seal the victory for Mount Royal. 

Stevenson was stellar all night, controlling the game in all three zones for MRU. He was named the game's first star. Gilling praised his veteran forward's versatility and composure.

"Versatility is huge. [Stevenson] is such a smart player; he skates well, he's smooth, got good legs. You feel confident when he's on the ice. He's a veteran now. He doesn't get too overwhelmed by anything and is a calming presence," said Gilling. 

Cougars veteran defenceman Remy Aquilon recorded a career-high four assists and collected seven total points in this weekend's two games against Trinity Western. 

The win put Mount Royal three games above .500 with an 8-5-1 record to keep pace in the West Division. Trinity Western drops to 1-12-1 through 14 games.