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Mount Royal University Cougars Athletics & Recreation

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Adrian Shellard

General Ethan Bomhof

WHKY: Cougars win in overtime to earn sweep over Dinos

Box Score
CALGARY – Julia Duke was the hero for Mount Royal University, as the Cougars downed the University of Calgary Dinos 2-1 in overtime in Saturday night Canada West women's hockey action.

After the Cougars opened the scoring early in Friday's weekend opener at  Father David Bauer, tonight it was the Dinos breaking the ice just a few minutes in. 

Playing in her 100th career game, Josie McLeod slid a pass across to the ice to Eden Carius, who fired a fluttering shot into the top corner to make it 1-0 less than four minutes into the contest. 

The Dinos held the lead into the first period, much in part to the outstanding play between the pipes from rookie goaltender Alyssa Barrette. The first year was making just her second start after recording a shutout in her debut on Nov. 15 against Trinity Western. Despite the loss, Barrette made 20 saves to continue her stellar start to her Canada West career.

Along with McLeod, two other players were playing in their 100th game. Fellow Dinos' forward Sydney Mercier reached the century mark on Saturday. The league second second-leading goal scorer was held off the scoresheet for the second consecutive night, with Mount Royal prioritizing shutting her down.

On the Cougars' bench, Abbey Borbandy reached the 100-game milestone as well. Borbandy joined her sister and MRU captain, Kaia, in the 100-game club on Saturday, with Kaia reaching the mark earlier in the season.

Kaia Borbandy acknowledged what it means to her and her sister to play 100 games as Cougars.

"You don't really realize the milestone until it actually happens," said Borbandy. "It's been an emotional ride the past little while, realizing it's all coming to an end soon. But it means a lot to not only be out there but say I had the ability to play 100 games as a Cougar."

In the second period, the Mount Royal drew level. Sydney Benko scored her team-leading eighth of the season. The veteran forward pulled off an incredible toe drag before ripping a shot past the glove of Barrette.

Despite four powerplays in the game, Calgary was unable to take advantage of their opportunities. The Cougars' penalty kill did an excellent job of suppressing the Dinos' offence with the extra skater, led by Kaia Borbandy. 

"We had a good active contain [on the penalty kill]," said Borbandy. "We made the adjustment to spread out, use our speed and push their [defence] really hard."

While shorthanded in the third, the Cougars had their best chance of the period to break the 1-1 deadlock when Borbandy found Gabby Lindsay wide open in the slot while on a rush. However, Calgary's Barrette came up huge and made the stop. 

After 60 minutes, the rival squads remained tied at one and three-on-three overtime was needed. 

In the extra period, Julia Duke used her speed to rush around the Dinos, ripping a shot from the right flank. Although Barrette got a piece of it, the puck trickled across the line to win the game for Mount Royal.

The win marks the Cougars' 12th victory in their last 13 games and keeps them ahead of the Dinos in the standings.

Mount Royal netminder Scout Anderson made 21 saves to improve her personal record to 9-0-1 and the Cougars' overall record to 13-2-1. The Dinos earned a point with an 11-4-3 record.
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Players Mentioned

Abbey Borbandy

#5 Abbey Borbandy

D
5' 4"
Fourth Year
Sydney Benko

#8 Sydney Benko

F
5' 6"
Fourth Year
Julia Duke

#9 Julia Duke

F
5' 4"
Second Year
Gabby Lindsay

#16 Gabby Lindsay

F
5' 7"
Second Year
Kaia Borbandy

#17 Kaia Borbandy

F
5' 4"
Fourth Year
Scout Anderson

#30 Scout Anderson

G
5' 8"
Third Year

Players Mentioned

Abbey Borbandy

#5 Abbey Borbandy

5' 4"
Fourth Year
D
Sydney Benko

#8 Sydney Benko

5' 6"
Fourth Year
F
Julia Duke

#9 Julia Duke

5' 4"
Second Year
F
Gabby Lindsay

#16 Gabby Lindsay

5' 7"
Second Year
F
Kaia Borbandy

#17 Kaia Borbandy

5' 4"
Fourth Year
F
Scout Anderson

#30 Scout Anderson

5' 8"
Third Year
G