November 24 - Led by two goals from Rick Wood and a flurry of second period offence, the University of Manitoba Bisons defeated the University of Regina Cougars 3-2 Saturday night in Canada West men’s hockey action at the Sherwood Arena.

Although being outshot 30-17 by the Cougars (6-8-2), the Bisons (7-6-1) managed to capitalize on the few chances they had. With the win Manitoba earns a split in the weekend series, and moves one point up on Regina in the congested Canada West division.

In what was a scoreless first period, it was Regina’s Kyle Ross who had the best chance to put his team on top. Sent in on a breakaway late in the period, Ross was unable to beat Manitoba goaltender Krister Toews on a deke, and the puck slid harmlessly wide.

The second frame, however, proved to be the game’s most important. Positioned perfectly in front of the Regina net, Manitoba’s Travis Kornelsen tipped a Dalyn Flatt point shot past Brant Hilton to break the deadlock. 30 seconds later, Rick Wood would put the Bisons up 2-0 on a shorthanded marker, his seventh of the year and first of two on the night.

Fighting back, the Cougars managed to cut the deficit to one before the period expired on a Clay Thoring snap-shot. While Regina would eventually outshoot their opponents 15-7 in the period, they found themselves down 2-1.

Only 44 seconds into the final period, Rick Wood regained Manitoba’s two goal lead, banging home a rebound in front of Brant Hilton.

Although the Cougars would draw closer on a Caine Pearpoint tally, Toews shut the door on any Cougar comeback. Making 28 saves for the win, Toews was without a doubt the team’s best weapon on Saturday.

Manitoba now heads home for a two-game series next weekend with the Saskatchewan Huskies. With their Christmas breaks coming early, the Cougars will be off from conference play until January 4 when they host the Huskies themselves.