Cougars' capture first title since 2005-06

For the first time in five years, there will be a new ACAC men’s hockey champions. The Mount Royal University Cougars used superb goaltending, timely offense and the type of grit and determination hockey championships are made of in winning their first ACAC title since 2005-06.

After a heart-breaking double overtime loss on home ice Saturday, the Cougars rebounded with a near picture perfect 60 minutes of hockey, using an Eric Galbraith power-play goal at the 9:52 mark of the first period and shutting the door the rest of the way to earn their 12th overall men’s hockey title.

With the win, the Cougars ended the Trojans Drive for Five, an attempt to become the first ACAC men's hockey team to win five straight conference titles.

With the Trojans’ Steven Turner in the box for interference, Galbraith took a pass from forward Jason MacDonald and wired one home from the top of the left circle past Trojans’ goaltender Tommy Tartaglione to give the Cougars the 1-0 lead.

 In the second period, the Trojans started to gain the momentum, peppering Cougars' goalie Brett Bothwell with 11 shots to the Cougars four – yet the Trojans were unable to put one past the fifth-year netminder, who was starting in place of the injured Justin Cote.

Bothwell, who started in just five games during the regular season, was forced into action in the first period of game four on Saturday, after Cote sustained an ankle injury in a crease collision just 2:42 into the game.

Bothwell was remarkable throughout the entire contest, making big saves when it mattered most, including a huge stop on a wrap around on the Trojans Brad Drobot mid-way through the second.

“You can’t script that,” said head coach Jean Laforest, referring to Bothwell’s fairytale ending to the season. “We were confident that he could get the job done, but he was unbelievable. In another situation he’d be the guy who played 20 games a year and the number one goalie, but with our team depth it’s just how it worked out. We had a situation where we had the right guy at the right time and he proved he was up to the task - I’m really proud of him.”

Heading into the third period, the Cougars looked to extend their one goal lead, but as time wore on, the team seemed content to play with the lead, limiting their own offensive opportunities while focusing on defense.

Bothwell continued to stonewall the Trojans, making a huge pad save on another opportunity from behind the net as Trevor Bailey got a crack at it in tight with 13:43 remaining.

The Trojans would come close to tying the game on a strange play that likely left the home team fuming. Trying to gain the zone,  SAIT's Garrett Watson dumped the puck in from just across centre. The puck sailed wide and bounced back off the end boards and as Cougars`goalie Brett Bothwell tried to cover the puck up, it took a funny bounce off his glove and appeared to find the back of the net.

The Trojans, celebrating like they had a goal, were miffed to hear that the official’s ruled no goal, as the referee had blown the play dead before the puck had crossed the line.

With 1:27 left the Trojans pulled goaltender Tommy T, but were unable to muster any significant chances as the Cougars skated away with the game five win and the ACAC title.

Brett Bothwell was named Player of the Game for the Cougars, registering 27 saves in the victory, while Tommy Tartaglione was named Player of the Game for the Trojans.

“It feels great,” said a jubilant Laforest. “I think it’s a situation where they guys worked hard all year and the championship reflects that. It’s a tangible thing you can measure your work against, but regardless if you win or not I think our program has moved forward. I’m hoping we can get an opportunity to get back here next year and try and win it all again."

For the Cougars, it was sweet retribution after the team dropped game five of the 2008-09 championship 1-0 to the Trojans, helping the Trojans to their third straight title at the time.

“They [SAIT] worked really hard and came at us tough all series," said Laforest."They have a lot of depth over there, and we’re happy we came out on top, but in a one goal game anything can happen and that’s something you look at, obviously we are pretty evenly matched – but we’re excited to get the win.”

It is their first ACAC Men’s Hockey Championship since 2005-06 when the Cougars beat the Trojans 3-2 in a five game series - winning the final game 4-3.