FEATURED POLL
See Results Bisons blank Cougars
Written by: Brant Batters
February 15th, 2008 9:00pm
WINNIPEG – Manitoba shut out Regina 3-0 as the Bisons thrived playing on the big stage. Arena that is.
The University of Manitoba Bisons hosted the University of Regina Cougars at the 15,000-plus capacity MTS Centre Friday evening. The Bisons shifted to the large arena, temporarily being put out of the Max Bell Arena to make way for the opening game of the Bisons women’s first playoff game.
“Pretty exciting for the guys to have a chance to play at the MTS [Centre],” said Bisons forward Chris Falloon. “It’s a little bit different with it not being our home ice but it was a good win for us.”
Falloon led the Bisons with two goals, both on the powerplay.
“It was good to get the confidence up,” said Falloon. “Both goals were on the powerplay so it’ll be nice to get the powerplay going for the playoffs and hopefully we can ride it out.” Jared Walker scored the other Manitoba goal while Krister Toews stopped 17-shots to pick up his second shutout of the season. With the win, Manitoba improves to 13-12-2 on the season. The loss drops Regina to 9-15-3. “It was a typical game against Regina. They don’t give you a lot to work with,” said Bisons head coach Don MacGillivray. “If you’re not willing to work hard along the middle of the ice and along the boards, they make it very difficult to create offensive chances.” Regina is battling the UBC Thunderbirds for fifth place in the Canada West standings. The Cougars currently sit one point back of the T-Birds. UBC is in Edmonton this weekend battling against the No. 2-ranked University of Alberta Golden Bears. Whoever comes out on top will be in Winnipeg next weekend to take on the Bisons. The sixth place finisher will travel to Calgary to take on the No. 7-ranked Dinos. The first goal of the game didn’t come until the beginning of the second after a scoreless opening period. Walker scored shorthanded after goaltending gaffe by Regina’s Brant Hilton. Hilton came out of his net to play a dump in but gave it straight to Manitoba’s Rick Wood who quickly passed it to Walker in front for the empty net goal. Walker’s second goal of the year put the Bisons up 1-0 at 1:54. Falloon scored his 12-goal of the season at 15:49 of the second to give the Bisons a two-goal lead. With Manitoba on the powerplay, Stephane Lenoski fed it to Falloon as he streaked towards the net. Falloon went to his forehand as he was went around Hilton, sliding the puck past as he tumbled to the ice. Falloon added his second of the night at the 14:54 mark of the third period, also with a man advantage. Falloon ripped a point that avoided the crowd in front of the net, beating Hilton high on his glove-hand. Manitoba and Regina will play game two of their weekend series Saturday night back on the campus of the University of Manitoba in the Max Bell Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
“It was good to get the confidence up,” said Falloon. “Both goals were on the powerplay so it’ll be nice to get the powerplay going for the playoffs and hopefully we can ride it out.” Jared Walker scored the other Manitoba goal while Krister Toews stopped 17-shots to pick up his second shutout of the season. With the win, Manitoba improves to 13-12-2 on the season. The loss drops Regina to 9-15-3. “It was a typical game against Regina. They don’t give you a lot to work with,” said Bisons head coach Don MacGillivray. “If you’re not willing to work hard along the middle of the ice and along the boards, they make it very difficult to create offensive chances.” Regina is battling the UBC Thunderbirds for fifth place in the Canada West standings. The Cougars currently sit one point back of the T-Birds. UBC is in Edmonton this weekend battling against the No. 2-ranked University of Alberta Golden Bears. Whoever comes out on top will be in Winnipeg next weekend to take on the Bisons. The sixth place finisher will travel to Calgary to take on the No. 7-ranked Dinos. The first goal of the game didn’t come until the beginning of the second after a scoreless opening period. Walker scored shorthanded after goaltending gaffe by Regina’s Brant Hilton. Hilton came out of his net to play a dump in but gave it straight to Manitoba’s Rick Wood who quickly passed it to Walker in front for the empty net goal. Walker’s second goal of the year put the Bisons up 1-0 at 1:54. Falloon scored his 12-goal of the season at 15:49 of the second to give the Bisons a two-goal lead. With Manitoba on the powerplay, Stephane Lenoski fed it to Falloon as he streaked towards the net. Falloon went to his forehand as he was went around Hilton, sliding the puck past as he tumbled to the ice. Falloon added his second of the night at the 14:54 mark of the third period, also with a man advantage. Falloon ripped a point that avoided the crowd in front of the net, beating Hilton high on his glove-hand. Manitoba and Regina will play game two of their weekend series Saturday night back on the campus of the University of Manitoba in the Max Bell Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
