The University  of Alberta Golden Bears hockey team weathered a first period storm from the Manitoba Bisons to win game one, 4-2, of their best of three Canada West semi-final series at Clare Drake Arena.

Manitoba, owners of a 13-13-2 record in Canada West play and a 20-22 Overall record, came out flying in the first period, riding the high of their series sweep over the UBC Thunderbirds last weekend in Winnipeg.

Looking to buck the trend of losing in Edmonton, where they have not won a game since the 1995-96 season, now a span of 30 games (0-29-1), Manitoba outshot the Bears 8-3 in the early going and took a 1-0 lead when Kip Workman corralled an Aaron Sorochan rebound and shovelled it home on the back hand, seven minutes in.

Alberta captain Harlan Anderson, playing in his first game since dislocating his patella on January 26, made a great second effort to set-up the Bear's first goal on the power-play.

Working the puck at the point, Anderson was stripped by a Bisons' penalty killer, who then raced away on a short-handed break-away. Sorochan wasn't forced to make a save in the Alberta goal, as Anderson raced back to re-claim the puck, turn it up ice and feed Jesse Gimblett. Gimblett then dished to Dylan Stanley who beat Manitoba netminder Krister Toews at the 12:34 mark.

After getting outshot 8-3 through the first eight minutes of play, the #2 ranked Golden Bears shook off the rust, going on to out-shoot Manitoba 27-16 the rest of the way for a 30-25 advantage by game's end.

Six minutes into the second period Alberta took the lead when Brian Woolger, who scored three goals in Alberta's last three regular season games, cashed in as he skated hard to the Bison goal and re-directed a centering pass past Toews from Chad Klassen, who made a nice feed under pressure from the right side boards.

Canada West First Team All-Star, Ian McDonald, notched the Alberta game winner on a great individual effort, as he picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone and broke in on a two-on-two. The former Tri-City American used every inch of his 6'3" 210 lbs frame as he stepped inside of his Bison defender, shielded the puck long enough to get a clean look at goal and wired a wrist shot off the right post and into the far left side of the net behind Toews for a 3-1 lead at the 13:58 mark of the second.

The Alberta power-play struck again, this time just four minutes into the third as Tim Krymusa finished off a nice passing play between Conference Second Team All-Star and All-Freshman Eric Hunter and McDonald, making it 4-1.

Manitoba would draw to within two as Mike Hellyer poked a loose puck past a sprawling Sorochan at the nine minute mark with Kyle Howarth and Rick Wood drawing the helpers.

Don MacGillivray's squad were afforded two great chances near the end of the game as two Alberta skaters found themselves in the penalty box, giving Manitoba a two-man PP for a full minute and 5:30 on the game clock.

Eric Thurston's penalty killers were equal to the task as they were able to keep the Bisons to the outside and limit their chances down low.

With 2:20 remaining Alberta's Jason Fransoo, also a Conference All-Freshman, was nailed with a double minor for high-sticking and although the Bisons came close to a third goal, Sorochan and the Golden Bears' PK closed the night out, setting the stage for game two.

Toews made 26 saves on the night, giving up two power-play goals and was named the night's third star.

Sorochan stopped all 25 Manitoba shots, stymieing the Bisons all five of their extra man situations as well.

Puck drop for game two is 7:30 pm MST Saturday night at Clare Drake Arena in Edmonton. The game can be heard live at 88.5 FM CJSR or through www.cjsr.ualberta.ca