Box Score
CALGARY – Lyvia Butz two third period goals guided the Mount Royal University Cougars to a decisive 4-0 win over the MacEwan Griffins in Canada West women's hockey action Friday night at Flames Community Arena.

The FCA crowd saw a slow start to Friday's affair, with neither team showing a noticeable jump. The shot count was just 5-3 in favour of Mount Royal after 20 minutes.

Midway through the opening frame, Kiana McNinch broke the ice for MRU. McNinch skillfully deflected Breanne Comte point shot, redirecting the puck over MacEwan netminder Taya Currie's shoulder and into the top left corner.

"I've been practicing tipping a lot and I'm trying to do a better job at using my size in front of the net," said McNinch. "Plus, it was a great point shot from [Comte]."

Scoring her sixth of the season, McNinch is on pace to destroy her career high of eight goals. The Turtleford, Sask. product has always exemplified a strong two-way game but this year is bringing extra heat on offence.

"I've moved from centre to the wing but I don't actually think that's why I'm scoring more. I guess it's just going in more. Usually I'm more of a passer but this year I guess it's going in. Maybe just a lucky fifth year," joked McNinch.

The second period didn't bring much more eventful hockey and was scoreless. 

Early in the third, the Griffins had arguably their best opportunity of the game thus far. Ella Maternick pounced on a rebound, looking to wrap the puck around the crease and slide it but Scout Anderson made a sensational save with her right pad to keep MacEwan off the board.

Anderson had to make just 11 saves for her first shutout of the season and tenth of her career at Mount Royal.

The Cougars appeared to be cruising to a narrow 1-0 victory but a sudden offensive explosion late in the third blew it wide open.

Lyvia Butz scored two goals just two seconds apart to make it a 3-0 lead in the blink of an eye. Butz's two goals set a new career-high in goals (4) and points (8) just nine games into the season.

With two minutes left, Peyton Carter scored her first career Canada West goal, sending the Mount Royal bench into elation as Isa MacPhee went to retrieve the puck out of the back of the net.

The Griffins would be forced to call a timeout just to collect themselves after the offensive outburst from MRU.

The Cougars' victory moves them to a record of 8-1-0, giving them a five-point cushion over second-place Calgary Dinos in the East Division. MacEwan falls to 2-6-1.