EDMONTON - Kaitlyn Ross stopped all 21 Alberta shots she faced, as her Mount Royal Cougars forced a Game 3 with a 2-0 win over Alberta on Saturday night at Clare Drake Arena. 

Breanne Trotter and Kiana McNinch scored for MRU, who forced a winner-take-all game tomorrow thanks to their Game 2 shutout win over the higher ranked Pandas. Known for their ability to shutdown an opponent after scoring first, the Cougars held a lead for all but 5:53 on Saturday. 

"To get off to a good start was important for us. Obviously a lot at stake being down a game and with our backs against the wall," said Cougars bench boss Scott Rivett. "To get that goal early on certainly gave our group some confidence."

Halle Oswald made 21 saves on 23 MRU shots, as the visitors finished with a slim 23-21 shot advantage. The shutout for Ross was her second of the 2024 postseason, and eighth of her playoff career. 

"She brings a calmness to us when she's on top of her game," said Rivett of their netminder. "Certainly felt she made the saves she should, and managing the game by getting us whistles when we needed them, and not giving up any rebounds."

Trotter opened the scoring just over five minutes into the opening frame. With the teams playing at four-on-four, Trotter received a feed from Aliya Jomha in the slot, quickly ripping a one-timer past Oswald.

The officials kept their whistles in their pocket for a majority of Game, allowing both teams to play with physicality. It did, however, lead to a lack off even-strength offence in the first period, with the teams combining for just six shots. 

The pace quickened in the second, with the Cougars firing 10 shots towards Oswald and the Pandas net. The fifth-year goalie turned aside every shot she faced in the frame, with MRU also going 0/2 on the powerplay in the second. Ross made nine saves of her own, including a flurry of chances late in the period from Madison Willan and Jadynn Morden. 

McNinch doubled the Cougars lead midway through the third, all but sealing the win with her second goal of the playoffs. Owning a two goal lead, Ross and the Cougars suffocated the Pandas over the final 10 minutes, blocking a handful of shots, combined with nine saves from their goalie. 

Game 3 is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. tomorrow night at Clare Drake Arena.