CALGARY, Alta. – A difficult third period saw the Trinity Western Spartans fall 4-0 to the Mount Royal Cougars Friday night at the Flames Community Arena in Calgary, Alta. the loss drops the Spartans to 2-11-0 in Canada West, while the win improves the Cougars to 10-5-0.
 
Blake Stevenson with two goals, and Connor Bouchard, and Clayton Hanus with a goal each were the goal scorers for the Cougars.
 
TWU second-year goalie Raphael Audet (Rimouski, Que.) made 31 saves in the loss, while MRU's Shane Farkas made 20 saves to earn the shut-out victory.  
 
AS IT HAPPENED
The Cougars took the lead in the first period, but the sole penalty was given to MRU's Kurtis Smythe for high sticking, offering the Spartans an opportunity to score the first points of the game.
 
Despite being down a player, the Cougars defence remained resilient, preventing any goals.
 
Roughly halfway through the period, MRU's Connor Bouchard secured a 1 – 0 lead for his team, assisted by Clayton Hanus and Remy Aquilon.
 
MRU extended their lead in the third period.
 
With over seven minutes left, MRU pulled their goalie for a six-on-five advantage.
 
However, TWU's Landon Fuller was penalized for holding, leading MRU to bring their goalie back onto the ice.
 
Moments later, TWU's Jake Jurgeneit received a delay of game penalty for clearing the puck over the glass, resulting in a five-on-three advantage for MRU.
 
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Clayton Hanus scored, assisted by Connor Bouchard and Connor Blake. 
 
Blake Stevenson of MRU extended the Cougars lead to 3 – 0 with roughly five minutes remaining in the game, assisted by Remy Aquilon and Spencer Moe.
 
Shortly after, TWU's Landon Fuller received a tripping penalty, offering the Cougars a power play opportunity. Despite their efforts, the Spartans successfully defended their net, preventing any goals.
 
As the game approached its final moments, TWU made a move by pulling their goalie, resulting in a six-on-five advantage. However, MRU seized the opportunity, with Blake Stevenson securing an empty net goal.
 
QUOTABLE
TWU Head Coach Ben Walter
"It was a tough result for us tonight but I am happy with the effort that we put out there for the majority of the game.  We were in a position to win the game well into the third period tonight against a very talented and well-coached team and I see that as progress for this group" 
 
"It was a tight game that could have gone either way and the Cougars capitalized on some opportunities while we didn't and that was the difference.  Raphael Audet was exceptional in net for us and he definitely gave us a chance to win."
 
NOTABLE

• TWU finished the night 0/4 on the power play, while MRU finished 1/3.
• The Cougars outshot the Spartans 35-20 on the night.
• The Spartans are 1-6 lifetime against the Cougars.
• The lone TWU win came in their last meeting when TWU defeated MRU 4-3 in overtime on December 3, 2022, in Calgary.

 
UP NEXT
The Spartans and the Cougars will match up again tomorrow at the Flames Community Arena in Calgary with puck drop scheduled for 5 p.m. (MT). The game can be seen live on CanadaWest.TV.

About Spartan Athletics
As official members of U SPORTS, the Spartans currently compete in 13 sports in the Canada West conference, including women's and men's soccer, volleyball, basketball, hockey, cross country, and track & field, as well as women's rugby sevens. TWU also competes as an independent team in men's rugby. Since TWU entered U SPORTS in 1999, the Spartans have won 14 U SPORTS team championships and 34 Canada West team championships.
 
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