WHKY: Historic win for TWU keep playoff series rolling
February 18, 2023
The Trinity Western Spartans live to play another day.
The Spartans defeated the Mount Royal Cougars in game two of the Canada West Women's Hockey Quarter-Final to even the series at one. Trinity Western forced a win-or-go-home game three for the chance to play in the semi-final.
"Our overall focus was the main difference," said Jean Laforest, the Spartans head coach. "You know, five-on-five, we're a good hockey team. We can kill penalties and we've done a great job this weekend but that's not the situation we want to find ourselves in."
The Cougars opened the scoring five minutes into the second period. Captain, Tatum Amy curled around the top of the zone and turned to fire a wrist shot. Amy's shot was deflected in the air by the stick of Aliya Jomha and past Spartans netminder, Kate Fawcett.
Canada West Second Team All-Star, Amy Potomak tied it up for Trinity Western with just 22 seconds remaining in the second. Potomak blasted a one-timer slapshot from the point that rocketed over the shoulder of Cougars goalie, Kaitlyn Ross. The second period powerplay marker was the Spartans first ever goal in the Canada West women's hockey playoffs.
60 minutes of regulation hockey wouldn't provide a winner and the teams headed to sudden death overtime.
Trinity Western took two quick penalties to give MRU a 1:50 long five-on-three. The Cougars were unable to get shots through and the Spartans miraculously killed off the penalties.
"We had some good look and did some good things," said Cougars head coach, Scott Rivett, on the powerplay in the extra frame. "They sold out and blocked a ton of shots. We couldn't find a way to get it through."
Midway through the overtime period, the Spartans got their break. Kate Klassen picked the puck up at the Cougars' blueline and found herself on a partial breakaway. She skated in on Ross and backhanded it over her pad to win the game. Klassen's goal gave Trinity Western their first ever Canada West women's hockey playoff win.
"The goal wouldn't have been able to happen if it weren't for our amazing PK. We gutted out that five-on-three and that's what gave us the chance to keep this season going," said Klassen.
The Cougars look to move on quickly from the devastating loss and bounce back for game three.
"It's obviously tough but we can't dwell on it," said Aliya Jomha, the Cougars lone goal scorer. "Tomorrow is the biggest game of the year, so we've got to come prepared and think about the next step."
The Spartans and Cougars will face off at 7 p.m. on Sunday at Flames Community Arena for the chance to advance in the playoffs. Watch game three live on Canada West TV.
The Spartans defeated the Mount Royal Cougars in game two of the Canada West Women's Hockey Quarter-Final to even the series at one. Trinity Western forced a win-or-go-home game three for the chance to play in the semi-final.
"Our overall focus was the main difference," said Jean Laforest, the Spartans head coach. "You know, five-on-five, we're a good hockey team. We can kill penalties and we've done a great job this weekend but that's not the situation we want to find ourselves in."
The Cougars opened the scoring five minutes into the second period. Captain, Tatum Amy curled around the top of the zone and turned to fire a wrist shot. Amy's shot was deflected in the air by the stick of Aliya Jomha and past Spartans netminder, Kate Fawcett.
Canada West Second Team All-Star, Amy Potomak tied it up for Trinity Western with just 22 seconds remaining in the second. Potomak blasted a one-timer slapshot from the point that rocketed over the shoulder of Cougars goalie, Kaitlyn Ross. The second period powerplay marker was the Spartans first ever goal in the Canada West women's hockey playoffs.
60 minutes of regulation hockey wouldn't provide a winner and the teams headed to sudden death overtime.
Trinity Western took two quick penalties to give MRU a 1:50 long five-on-three. The Cougars were unable to get shots through and the Spartans miraculously killed off the penalties.
"We had some good look and did some good things," said Cougars head coach, Scott Rivett, on the powerplay in the extra frame. "They sold out and blocked a ton of shots. We couldn't find a way to get it through."
Midway through the overtime period, the Spartans got their break. Kate Klassen picked the puck up at the Cougars' blueline and found herself on a partial breakaway. She skated in on Ross and backhanded it over her pad to win the game. Klassen's goal gave Trinity Western their first ever Canada West women's hockey playoff win.
"The goal wouldn't have been able to happen if it weren't for our amazing PK. We gutted out that five-on-three and that's what gave us the chance to keep this season going," said Klassen.
The Cougars look to move on quickly from the devastating loss and bounce back for game three.
"It's obviously tough but we can't dwell on it," said Aliya Jomha, the Cougars lone goal scorer. "Tomorrow is the biggest game of the year, so we've got to come prepared and think about the next step."
The Spartans and Cougars will face off at 7 p.m. on Sunday at Flames Community Arena for the chance to advance in the playoffs. Watch game three live on Canada West TV.