CALGARY – The first game goes to the Dinos.

For the second straight season, the University of Calgary Dinos women's hockey team defeated the Mount Royal University Cougars 2-1 in the Crowchild Classic.

The annual game at the Scotiabank Saddledome has typically been a low-scoring affair and Thursday's clash was no different.

Despite the Dinos committing back-to-back penalties in the first and the Cougars having a brief five-on-three, the game remained scoreless after 20 minutes. 

MRU fourth-year netminder Scout Anderson was making her Crowchild Classic debut having spent the past three seasons as Kaitlyn Ross' backup. Anderson looked poised and comfortable in the crease.

"I've watched for a couple years now, so I know how loud it gets," said Anderson. "I think that helped me today and allowed me to play how I wanted to."

Just 57 seconds into the second, the Dinos delivered the icebreaker. Caitlyn Perlinger scored her first of the year, firing a shot from the half wall and beating Anderson five-hole.

The Cougars best chance in the period came off the stick of Kiana McNinch. Positioned in the slot, McNinch battled the Dinos defence and got a shot off but the puck sailed over the crossbar.

As the Saddledome crowd began to grow, the Dinos took their narrow lead into the third.

Two minutes into the final frame, Calgary doubled their advantage over Mount Royal. A lapse in transition allowed Josie McLeod to gain a breakaway. All alone, McLeod one-touched a shot past the glove of Anderson.

Down two, the Cougars were determined to not let the game slip away.

Mount Royal turned up the intensity as time trickled down. 

Finally, they found the back of the net. Abbey Borbandy's shot from the top of the circle was saved by Amelia Awad but the puck flung straight up into the air. MRU winger Gabby Lindsay tracked the puck all the way, tapping it across the line when it dropped.

With three minutes left, the Cougars had life. 

Unfortunately for MRU, Lindsay's marker would be all they would get. The Dinos would hold on for their second consecutive Crowchild Classic victory.

The added pressure from the Cougars late made for an entertaining game but Mount Royal wished they played with that intensity for all 60 minutes.

"We definitely played better towards the end and tightened up on the details," said Scout Anderson. "But we need to bring it all 60 [minutes] to get the result we want."

The Dinos and Cougars rematch on Saturday at Father David Bauer Arena. Puck drop is set for 5 p.m. MST.