Box Score CALGARY –  It was a battle of the goalies at Flames Community Arenas on Saturday as the Trinity Western University Spartans women's hockey team defeated the Mount Royal University Cougars 1-0 in a shootout in the regular season finale.

Before the officials dropped the puck, five graduating Cougars were honoured for their illustrious careers at Mount Royal. Lyndsey Janes, Alex Spence, Aliya Jomha, Athena Hauck and Kaitlyn Ross were all presented with a framed jersey at center ice with their respective families. All five seniors were members of the historic 2023 U SPORTS National Championship winning team.

Arguably the greatest netminder in program history, Kaitlyn Ross passed her former goalie partner, Zoe De Beauville, to become the MRU all-time leader in goaltender games played (79).

Along with her games played record, Ross set multiple other program-bests between the pipes, including wins, shutouts, save percentage and goals against average.

Just as it was on Friday, the opening period concluded scoreless. Neither team managed to display any dangerous chances and the goaltenders made their routine saves.

Less than a minute into the second period, Mount Royal nearly got on the board when Sydney Benko swiftly deked around the Spartans' defence before giving way to Kiana McNinch who couldn't get the last touch to put it past Kate Fawcett.

Just a few minutes later, Trinity Western had their best opportunity to claim the lead. While on the powerplay, the Cougars turned it over at the Spartans blueline to send Chloe Reid on a breakaway. However, the netminder Ross stayed disciplined in her crease and stopped Reid to keep it 0-0.

The goal scarcity continued into the third with neither team able to light the lamp. 

After 60 minutes of regulation play, the final game of the season would need five minutes of overtime and eventually a shootout.

Reilley Kellner would score the lone shootout goal and Kate Fawcett stopped all three MRU attempts to complete the weekend sweep for the Spartans.

The Cougars will be back at Flames Community Arenas next weekend to open the 2025 Canada West playoffs. They will be met by the University of Regina Cougars, the third seed in the East Division. Mount Royal won both games against Regina earlier in February but only by a score of 3-2 in each game.

Game one of the series is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Feb. 21, game two at 5 p.m. on Feb. 22 and game three (if necessary) at 5 p.m. on Feb. 23.

Stay tuned for when tickets go on sale and a full playoff preview right here on mrucougars.com.