Box Score CALGARY- The Mount Royal Cougars returned home on Friday, Dec. 2 night at Flames Community Arena, defeating the University of Manitoba Bisons in men's hockey by a score of 4-3.
 
The Cougars came flying out of the gate, scoring just 2:40 into Friday night's matchup. The Bisons had an opportunity to bury the games first goal, but the puck rang loud off the post. The Cougars took it the other way, which lead to Matthew Brown taking care of business to give the Cougars the early lead.
 
The Bisons took the games first penalty after a bad turnover in their own zone. Connor Rankin buried his eighth goal of the season, just 28 seconds into the Cougar power play.
 
Mount Royal kept the intensity at a high level for the entire first period. Matthew Brown added his second goal of the game and eighth of the year on another Cougar power play. The Cougar captain created scoring chances frequently throughout the game, with all three of his points coming in the first period.
 
Mount Royal's Luke Simpson got in on the action before the period was over. He recorded a goal of his own after he was left alone in front of the Bisons' net. Simpson finally recorded a goal after recording a couple of assists earlier in the period.
 
As the first frame was winding down, the Bisons started to show their frustration. Brett Stovin of Manitoba got tangled up with Sebastien Pare of Mount Royal after the whistle blew late in the first period. Both players earned an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
 
The Bisons seemed to come out more composed to start the second period, although unable to generate many scoring chances. Mount Royal committed a couple of penalties, but a solid penalty kill kept the puck away from Cougar goalie Colin Cooper.
 
After a Taylor Green holding penalty, Mount Royal looked to kill their third penalty of the period. A few quality Bison scoring chances forced Cooper to step up to keep the 4-0 lead in tact. The was highlighted by Cooper stopping a Brett Stovin one timer that looked very promising for the Bisons. The second year Cougar goalie was saluted for his efforts, drawing a loud reaction from the crowd.
 
However, Cooper couldn't keep his shutout alive to end the period. A scramble in front of the Cougar goalie prevented him from trapping the bouncing puck among the heavy traffic. Nick Zajac put it past Cooper to get the Bisons on the board with 31 seconds left in the second period to cut into the Cougar lead.
 
The visitors started the third period where they left off in the second. Lee Christensen swung the puck in front of the Cougar net and teammate Quintin Lisoway tapped it past the goalie to cut into the Cougar lead with less than a minute into the final period.
 
Cooper once again stood tall at goalie for the Cougars, making key saves down the stretch in the third as the Bisons looked to put together quite the comeback.
 
Manitoba added their third goal of the game to cut the lead to one with less than a minute remaining. The Cougars held on to win the first of their two game series with Manitoba here at home. Final score 4-3 for Mount Royal.
 
Mount Royal wins their third straight game to improve to 10-5-0 while the University of Manitoba drops to 6-8-1.
 
These two teams are back at it tomorrow afternoon at Flames Community Arena. Puck drop at 3 p.m. CT.