January 5 - It was nearly the identical result as Friday. The University of Manitoba Bisons blanked the University of B.C. Thunderbirds, and Meghan Ross supplied the firepower.

Ross had two goals and an assist as the Bisons shut out the T-Birds 3-0, Saturday evening in Winnipeg. That gave her six points on the weekend with her three goals Friday night, capping an exceptional weekend.

"I knew I had to kind of step it up because I wasn't playing to my potential," said Ross. "I was on a little bit of a scoring drought and I'm not one to do that so it definitely makes me feel much better."

Also scoring for the Bisons was Danielle Fouillard. Dana Hoogsteen stopped 11 shots to pick up her third shut out of the year. Melinda Choy stopped 27 shots in the loss for the T-Birds. UBC drops to 5-10-1 and will stay in fifth place.

With the win, No. 4-ranked Manitoba improves to 13-2-1, and remains deadlocked with No. 2-ranked Alberta for top spot in the Canada West Standings. The Pandas, who the Bisons will travel to play in two weeks time, also got a weekend sweep. They defeated the No. 10-ranked Saskatchewan Huskies who Manitoba will host next weekend.

"This is the first time in anyone's memory that someone has a chance to take [Alberta] down to the wire for first place," said Bisons head coach Jon Rempel. "We kind of knocked UBC down the totem pole this weekend. Next weekend we host Saskatchewan. Set ourselves up going into Alberta which will probably be the pivotal series of the year."

Rempel isn't looking past Saskatchewan though.

"They are probably the most improved team in the conference. They gave Alberta all they can handle this weekend. We're in for a tough battle because they want to solidify a playoff spot and we're going to have to be as good as we were this weekend or better to be successful."

Near the mid-way point of the first period, the T-Birds were pressuring heavily deep in the Bisons own end. A loose puck floated through the crease and was nearly knocked in by Bisons netminder, Dana Hoogsteen, but no one was able to punch it home. Seconds later a blocked shot at the blue-line sent the Herd's Addie Miles on long, clear breakaway. Miles went high blocker on Melinda Choy, but the UBC goalie stood her ground directing the shot harmlessly out of play.

Ross picked up where she left of Friday night, when she recorded a natural hat trick, opening the scoring for the Bisons at 8:30 of the second period. Manitoba seized the opportunity with UBC short a player in the penalty box. Amy Coates point shot was redirected in front by Ross, just under the arm of Choy. It was Ross' sixth goal of the season, and fourth consecutive goal for the Bisons over two nights.

Fouillard snapped Ross' goal streak four minutes later. She tipped a point shot by Brenna Leary that hit Choy and deflected high into the air. In a bad break for UBC it hit Choy in the back as she searched for the puck, and into the back of the net. Fouillard's first of the season at 12:37 made it 2-0.

Manitoba opened the third period on the powerplay and was once again able to capitalize. Ross was able to skate out from behind the UBC and slide the puck through Choy's five-hole. Her second goal of the night came only 1:04 into the final period.

This game also featured a pair of identical twins playing against each other. The Choy sisters, Melinda (goaltender) and Alisha (forward), from Victoria, BC, represented the T-Birds. They faced the Bisons' Hoogsteen sisters from Kakabeka Falls, ON, Dana (goaltender) and Shannon (forward).

Manitoba will remain at home to host prairie rival, the University of Saskatchewan (6-7-3) next weekend. The No. 10-ranked Huskies are winless in their last four games including two loses at the hands of the Bisons November 23 and 24. Game times for both Friday and Saturday are 7 p.m. at the Max Bell Arena.

UBC will head back to Vancouver for a weekend series with the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns (1-12-2). Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Winter Sports Centre both nights.

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