EDMONTON - The Alberta Pandas clinched their spot in the Canada West Final and the U SPORTS Championship by overcoming the Mount Royal Cougars 3-2 after overtime on Sunday night. The thrilling victory at Clare Drake Arena showcased the resilience and determination of the Pandas, especially after they faced significant pressure during the game.
Natalie Kieser scored just 2:23 minutes Into the first overtime period, sending the Pandas onto the next stage of the playoffs. The comeback was capped off by Abby Soyko, who not only tied the game late but also assisted on the overtime winner. With this win, the Pandas secured their passage to the U SPORTS Championship hosted by the Waterloo Warriors in three weeks.
The game unfolded with the Cougars taking the early advantage. Aliya Jomha scored for Mount Royal at 10:10 of the first period, reflecting their strong start. With assists from Athena Hauck and Alex Spence, Jomha's goal demonstrated the Cougars’ ability to capitalize on the early opportunities, sending them to the first intermission with the lead.
Despite the momentum, the Pandas quickly responded on the power play four minutes and 56 seconds Into the second period, as Soyko found the back of the net, tying the contest. Mount Royal rallied, with Jomha scoring again at 11:55, reclaiming the lead after some solid defensive work to limit Alberta's shots. Head Coach Howie Draper commented on the Pandas' lack of confidence earlier, stating, "We just needed to believe in ourselves...I think we all knew we were a bigger team than we showed the first two periods." His words were echoed as the Pandas' performance visibly improved.
While Alberta struggled initially, they began to press harder as the game continued. With the third period underway, the Pandas significantly outshot Mount Royal, achieving 14 shots compared to their 6. Soyko pulled the game level once more at 2-2 with her second goal, scored with just 4:09 left on the clock, sending the match to overtime.
Overtime was nerve-wracking for fans, but the Pandas managed to snatch victory quickly. Kieser’s winning goal, which came after the Mount Royal goalie Kaitlyn Ross bobbled the shot, secured Alberta's victory. Draper expressed pride after the game, stating, "It was our best game of the series by far, and might have been one of our best games of the season," recognizing the effort and spirit displayed.
On the other hand, Mount Royal's heads were held high, as they garnered valuable experience, progressing through the playoffs and reaching the semifinals. Head Coach Scott Rivett praised his team's performance, reflecting on their growth and determination, and added, "Last seven minutes or so we got a bit scrambly as they pushed. Might have felt the pressure a bit, and they were able to capitalize."
This semifinal series was especially poignant for the Cougars, who finished just shy of the conference final for the second consecutive year.
The upcoming Canada West Final will see the Pandas face the UBC Thunderbirds next weekend. Meanwhile, Mount Royal will regroup, aiming to build on the momentum from this season, which showed significant progress. Despite the loss, Jomha’s standout performance with two goals highlighted their potential as they aim for future successes.
Looking Ahead: The 2025 Canada West Championship promises to be competitive, as teams like the Pandas and Thunderbirds battle for the title. They head to Vancouver with renewed purpose and competitive spirit, eager to etch their names on the championship trophy.