The two top-ranked teams in the country clashed in Edmonton this weekend, with the Bisons coming out as victors on Friday, but falling in overtime on Saturday.
Erica Rieder’s marker halfway through the third period was the eventual winner as the Bisons came back to win 2-1. Alberta opened the scoring early in the first through Autumn MacDougall, but Manitoba answered a few minutes later with Sheridan Oswald’s third goal of the year.
Bison fifth-year goalie Rachel Dyck made 14 saves in the win.
On Saturday, things started out well for the Bisons, with Lauren Warkentin scoring on the first shot of the game. Bison captain Caitlin Fyten doubled the lead with a powerplay marker minutes later.
Alexandra Poznikoff cut into the Bison lead with the lone goal in the second and the Pandas left it until late in this one, with Cayle Dillion scoring with 15 seconds remaining in the game to level the score. Regan Wright then scored in the second overtime period to give the Pandas a 3-2 win.
Manitoba maintains its grip on first place in the Canada West with an 11-4-2-1 record, but the UBC Thunderbirds (11-4-1-2) are nipping at their heels, sitting only one point back. Manitoba heads home to play the third place University of Saskatchewan Huskies on Jan. 12-13.
