WHKY: Ross, Cougars blank Pandas in Game 1
February 24, 2023
EDMONTON - Katilyn Ross was among the Canada West league leaders in shutouts this season with six, but had yet to record one against the University of Alberta Pandas.
Until now.
The Mount Royal Cougars goaltender made 26 saves in a 2-0 win over Alberta on Friday afternoon at Clare Drake Arena to give Mount Royal a 1-0 lead in their Canada West semi final series.
Tatum Amy scored the game-winner at the 5:21 mark of the opening period, while Athena Hauck added the insurance marker with 1:37 remaining.
Hallie Oswald made 13 saves in the loss for Alberta.
"She (Ross) was the best player on the ice today. I certainly didn't feel we were at our best, and we found ourselves chasing the game quite a bit, but she was there to make the big save," said Cougars head coach Scott Rivett.
"We've relied on her all year to be there for us, and she certainly came through for us today."
Despite being down 1-0 after the first period, the Pandas looked to be in control of the game. They outshot the Cougars 11-6 in the opening frame, and continued to put pressure on Mount Royal, but Ross stood tall.
She made several big saves, that included a cross-crease stick save off of Abby Soyko in the first period.
In the third period, she made a big stop off of captain Izzy Lajoie who drove hard to the net, then followed it up denying Natalie Kieser on the rebound from the slot.
"She made some outstanding saves, but I felt at times we made it a bit easy on her. We could've been more selective and focused on our shooting when we had some good opportunities," said Pandas head coach Howie Draper.
"She made some huge saves when they really needed it, and that was the difference."
Mount Royal certainly carried their momentum from their series win over Trinity Western into Game 1 against Alberta, who was idle in the opening round of the playoffs.
While Alberta put forward a strong effort, the Pandas know they will have to elevate their play to a higher level if they want to earn a series win.
"We don't have as much playoff experience as a group as they do, but today was a good lesson for us," said Lajoie.
"We definitely have more in us to give. We have to make sure we bring our play to another level tomorrow. We have to make sure we're executing our passes and we're shooting the puck with more of a purpose."
Alberta and Mount Royal will play Game 2 of their series on Saturday at 2 p.m. MT at Clare Drake Arena.
Until now.
The Mount Royal Cougars goaltender made 26 saves in a 2-0 win over Alberta on Friday afternoon at Clare Drake Arena to give Mount Royal a 1-0 lead in their Canada West semi final series.
Tatum Amy scored the game-winner at the 5:21 mark of the opening period, while Athena Hauck added the insurance marker with 1:37 remaining.
Hallie Oswald made 13 saves in the loss for Alberta.
"She (Ross) was the best player on the ice today. I certainly didn't feel we were at our best, and we found ourselves chasing the game quite a bit, but she was there to make the big save," said Cougars head coach Scott Rivett.
"We've relied on her all year to be there for us, and she certainly came through for us today."
Despite being down 1-0 after the first period, the Pandas looked to be in control of the game. They outshot the Cougars 11-6 in the opening frame, and continued to put pressure on Mount Royal, but Ross stood tall.
She made several big saves, that included a cross-crease stick save off of Abby Soyko in the first period.
In the third period, she made a big stop off of captain Izzy Lajoie who drove hard to the net, then followed it up denying Natalie Kieser on the rebound from the slot.
"She made some outstanding saves, but I felt at times we made it a bit easy on her. We could've been more selective and focused on our shooting when we had some good opportunities," said Pandas head coach Howie Draper.
"She made some huge saves when they really needed it, and that was the difference."
Mount Royal certainly carried their momentum from their series win over Trinity Western into Game 1 against Alberta, who was idle in the opening round of the playoffs.
While Alberta put forward a strong effort, the Pandas know they will have to elevate their play to a higher level if they want to earn a series win.
"We don't have as much playoff experience as a group as they do, but today was a good lesson for us," said Lajoie.
"We definitely have more in us to give. We have to make sure we bring our play to another level tomorrow. We have to make sure we're executing our passes and we're shooting the puck with more of a purpose."
Alberta and Mount Royal will play Game 2 of their series on Saturday at 2 p.m. MT at Clare Drake Arena.