October 12 - The University of Manitoba stumbled on Friday evening, losing their home opener to the University of Saskatchewan, 3-1 in front of over 800 at the Max Bell Arena.

Both teams entered the game with unbeaten Canada West records, but it was the Huskies who remain undefeated, moving to 3-0-0. The Bisons first loss drops their record to 2-1-1.

Scoring for the Huskies was Steve Gillen, Brad Erickson, and Brent Twordik. The Bisons lone marker came from Stephane Lenoski.

"It's a little frustrating cause I think that game was there for the taking," said Bison head coach Don MacGillivray. "Saskatchewan's a good solid road team and we had some opportunities in the third period to get a little closer but we spent a little bit too much time in the penalty box."

Manitoba took five minor penalties in the third, spending half the period a man short, and giving up one powerplay goal.

"I think our work habits were pretty good in the third but weren't necessarily there in the first two periods. For whatever reason, I don't know if we were nervous. It was a really big crowd for us here in our barn, so it's just something we're going to have to be better for tomorrow."

The Huskies got on the board first at 14:55 of the first, scoring on the powerplay after a Mark Olafson hooking penalty. Working the play low, Brent Twordik slide the puck through the crease and Gillen tapped in the puck to open the scoring. Erickson scored Saskatchewan's second goal at 7:56 of the second period. He one-timed a pass from Jason Wager as he broke into Manitoba's end from the right of the Bisons Krister Toews.

The Bisons cut the lead to one on Lenoski's goal. With Manitoba putting heavy pressure on Huskie goalie Russel Monette, Lenoski put a shot on goal from the top of the circle that avoided the crowd and floated over a screened Monette. That made the score 2-1 at 3:14 of the third.

But Twordik netted his powerplay goal just over five minutes later, regaining the Huskies two-goal lead. He skated in from the left side and went to his backhand as he went towards the net, pushing the puck past Toews. Twordik's goal came at 8:27 of the third.

Monette made 26-saves in goal as he picked up the win for Saskatchewan. Toews, the reigning CIS male athlete of the week, stopped 19 in the loss for Manitoba.

The Bisons and Huskies will go at it again Saturday night, again at the Max Bell Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

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