Box Score
CALGARY – The Mount Royal University Cougars men's hockey team closed out 2025 with a 6-2 win over the University of Manitoba Bisons on Saturday night at Flames Community Arena.

After losing by six goals on Friday, the Bisons were keen to get a jump on Saturday's rematch. Manitoba captain Jonny Hooker took advantage of a big rebound out to him in the slot and made a great hand-eye play to one-touch a shot past Ethan Buenaventura. 

Just 80 seconds into the contest, the Bisons had their first lead of the weekend.

Only a few minutes later, the Cougars answered right back. Playing in just his second game of the season, Robbie Fromm-Delorme made an immediate impact. The forward made a perfect pass to the front of the net, finding Justin Lies for a tap-in to level the score at one.

The Bisons had a chance to take the lead when the Cougars took two consecutive penalties. But Mount Royal's penalty kill remained impeccable, led by veteran two-way forwards Blake Stevenson and Josh Tarzwell.

Shortly after killing off the five-on-three, the MRU was awarded a powerplay of their own. Fromm-Delorme got his second primary assist when his wrister from the slot just missed the net but bounced off the endboards right to Connor Bouchard. Bouchard was in the perfect spot to tap the puck above the pad of Manitoba netminder Matthew Kieper. 

Kieper came into Friday's game in relief of Braden Holt. He was making just his fourth start of his rookie campaign on Saturday.

Exactly halfway through the second period, Mount Royal added an insurance goal. Clay Hanus made an outstanding cross-ice pass, finding Tristan Zandee wide open in the low slot. Zandee converted the play, shooting the puck into the open net.

The goal would be Zandee's first of the year as he mimed ripping the monkey off his back. The third year has struggled with injuries this season and was ecstatic to get on the scoresheet.

"It was a big relief; I've faced a lot of adversity this first half and being able to get in games is awesome," said Zandee. "Getting on the scoresheet isn't something I get to do often, so it's nice when I get to pot one."  

Zandee's tally proved to be even more important when the Bisons cut the deficit back to one less than three minutes later. A costly giveaway behind the net by the Cougars led to Caden Zaplitny all alone in front. The Bison's centre made a nifty move to the backhand in tight to beat Ethan Buenaventura. 

Teague Patton was able to restore MRU's two-goal advantage later in the scoring-filled period. Patton stole the puck off the Bisons on the half-wall, drove to the net, and finished with a shot into the upper part of the goal.

Heading into the third period the score was the exact same as it was on Friday: 4-2 for Mount Royal.

Looking to change their fortune, the Bisons turned up the pressure on the Cougars. Buenaventura stood strong between the pipes for MRU, making a couple of huge stops including a save-of-the-year candidate early in the period.

Josh Tarzwell would score his 12th of the year to make it 5-2 and put him second in the Canada West in goals.

Blake Stevenson added an empty netter to wrap it up, as tempers flared between the two East division teams with time trickling down. 

With the loss, the Bisons fall to 6-9-1 and rank fourth in the division. 

Heading into the holiday break, the Cougars are 11-5-2 and sit in second place in their division. They have not lost a game in regulation since Nov. 7.

Looking ahead into 2026, the road does not get any easier for Mount Royal. The Cougars will face No. 1 ranked UBC to kick off the new year. 

But for now, they can enjoy a couple of well-earned victories to close out an eventful 2025.