Rankings, even regular-season standings, mean nothing during playoff time.
Certainly, that was evident on Friday night at Flames Community Arenas.
In the opener of their Canada West men's hockey quarter-final series, the Mount Royal University Cougars -- ranked ninth in the country -- had their hands full with a pesky UBC Thunderbirds squad, one that would not quit for 60 strenuous minutes.
In the end, though, the talented Cougars came out on top, posting a 3-1 victory over the T-Birds. The score could have been more one-sided, were it not for the terrific work of UBC goaltender Matt Hewitt, who had a massive 40 shots directed his way.