November 10 - The #4-ranked women’s hockey team (8-2-0) lost to the #2-ranked University of Alberta Pandas (8-2-0) on Saturday night at the Max Bell Centre, 2-0, splitting the weekend series. The Bisons now share first place in the Canada West standings with Alberta, as both teams sit at 18 points.

The Bisons, who are off to their fastest start in the program’s 11 year history, won the first game Friday night by a score of 3-2. The win was only the second time Manitoba had ever beaten the defending CIS-champion Pandas. The series, which was billed as a battle for first place, saw both teams go into the weekend series both tied with 14 points and a share of first place in the Canada West standings.

The Bisons were unable to carry the momentum from Friday’s 3-2 win as they were held scoreless by an inspired Alberta squad which needed only two first period goals for the victory.

“Alberta is a strong team. We had a tough time getting shots through to the net and lost some key battles down low but I wasn’t at all unhappy with the overall effort our girls gave. We played well this weekend and came out of it with one big win” said Bisons assistant coach Robert Voth.

The Pandas opened the scoring with a harmless looking point shot that was deflected by Mia Mucci past outstretched Bisons goaltender Stacey Corfield. Minutes later, Alberta forward Miranda Miller broke away and scored an impressive breakaway goal as the she split the defence and tucked a backhand shot behind Corfield to give the Pandas a two goal advantage. Despite the disappointing start, the Bisons had some quality scoring chances near the end of the period, including a point blank chance on a late power play. The Bisons outshot Alberta 9-7 in the period.

The Bisons were under siege early in the second period as the Bears were eager to extend their lead, but were unable to capitalize on any of their chances. Manitoba’s best chances came on a power play midway through the period, as Sarah Stebelski and Addie Miles combined for two good scoring chances, but they were both thwarted by Alberta goaltender Dana Vinge. The Bisons were badly outshot 13-4 but managed to escape the period unscathed.

After a sluggish start to the third period, the Bisons begun to register some quality scoring chances. The Bisons stormed the front of the Alberta net and Captain Leanne Kisils centering pass trickled just past the reach of Addie Miles and was smothered by Vinge. The Bisons killed off a tripping penalty to Shannon Hoogsteen, and then started to press looking to cut into the Alberta lead but were shut down by a stingy Bears defence.

Manitoba will have nearly two weeks off now before their next game, a weekend road series on November 23rd and 24th against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.

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