Following their 2-0 defeat on Friday night, the University of Manitoba Bisons women’s hockey team were hoping to redeem themselves on Saturday in game two of the weekend series. To their disappointment, the Pandas inflicted a second consecutive shutout on the visitors, sweeping the series with a 3-0 home victory. Up until this past weekend, the herd hadn’t been shutout in consecutive games since the 2013-14 season.
Alberta drew first blood when a tipped Megan Eady shot beat Rachel Dyck from the point midway through the first period. Once again, the Pandas’ defiant style of defence stood too tall for Manitoba to penetrate. The home side took their narrow 1-0 lead heading into the second intermission.
The Alberta defence then began to play with an attack-minded chip on their shoulders by the start of the third period. Blue-liner Cayle Dillon ripped a high point shot passed a screened Dyck for a 2-0 cushion.
Manitoba played their most productive period in the third frame, forcing goalie Lindsey Post into making nine of her 23 saves on the night. However, the herd were unable to get themselves on the board as the game winded down.
Rounding off the contest was Sasha Lutz, burying an empty net goal to clinch the 3-0 victory.
Post’s second consecutive shutout means she now has an astounding five in her last six outings. Though lacking an offensive catalyst on their team, Manitoba are still receiving stout goaltending through Dyck, who made 18 saves on 20 shots in the defeat.
The Pandas are now atop of the Canada West table by two points. The Bisons slip down to fourth with the defeat and are tied in that ranking with Regina.
The Bisons will cap off their two-weekend in a row road set next week at the Regina Cougars on Jan. 15 and 16, respectively.
