MISSOULA, Mont. – The University of Providence hockey program defeated #11 University of Montana 3-2 in the Montana Cup Tournament Saturday night in Helena.

The Argos (22-9) scored the first goal of the contest after winning a face-off with a shot from the blue line sneaking by the goalie from freshman Kaleb West to give UP a 1-0 lead midway through the first period.

After going back and forth the Grizzlies (18-13) responded with a goal of their own to tie the game at one with 10 minutes to go in the second period.

Both teams would exchange possession of the puck the rest of the second but nobody was able to score heading into the third all tied up.

The Argos were off to a hot start with a goal near the far circle from freshman Jamal Shaw one minute into the period, and UP kept did not stop there with sophomore Elliott Venini finding the back of the net just three minutes later to give UP a 3-1 lead with 15 minutes remaining. 

The Grizzlies would halt the Argos momentum as they got a goal back and trailed UP by one halfway through the final period, and despite late pressure from the Grizzlies, the Argos held on to the one goal advantage the rest of the way as UP defeated the University of Montana 3-2.

The Argos will be back in action Feb. 15 when they head to back to Helena, to play #1 Montana State in the championship of the Montana Cup. UP will face #1 Montana State at 7:00 p.m. at the Steed Arena.