The University of Manitoba women’s hockey team started its weekend series off against the Mount Royal University Cougars on Friday night struggling to defend its zone, while puck passing looked laboured. Mount Royal profited off the Bisons being off their A game.
The Cougars struck first in the two-game series, with Kaia Borbandy of Mount Royal scoring in the middle of the first period.
Mount Royal was aggressive from the start, outshooting Manitoba 41-29.
The herd’s scoring drought continued until the third period, while the Cougars scored consistently.
The first and only goal of the game for Manitoba was scored by Camryn Gillis. The Bisons finished Friday night’s contest losing 6-1.
The herd looked to use its strong offensive players to help secure redemption as the series against the Cougars continued on Saturday.
Mount Royal were on a mission the minute they stepped on the ice, opening up the scoring with the first goal of the game on an early power play.
The momentum continued for the Cougars but not without challenge from the herd, as the Bisons outshot the cats 29-28.
Manitoba’s first goal came in the second frame courtesy of Camille Enns, and the Bisons scored two more times in the third period — with Ashley Keller and Dana Goertzen capitalizing as the Cougars grew tired. The Bisons managed to push the game to overtime, but would lose 4-3 early in the first frame.
While the women’s team were hosted by the Cougars in Calgary, the men’s hockey team played at home at Wayne Fleming Arena.
Mount Royal was on the puck from the beginning, showcasing stellar teamwork, amazing passing skills and overwhelming speed.
The first period ended without a goal from either side. Despite the Cougars having the upper hand, their advances were halted by great plays from Bison veteran Colton Veloso.
The Cougars and the herd traded goals in the second period, with Tony Apetagon finding the net for the Bisons. While the Bisons had a 2-1 lead early in the third frame courtesy of Veloso, the Cougars had a massive comeback thanks to their tight-knit offence. Mount Royal capitalized on a Manitoba holding penalty to tie the game in the third, and followed up with another power-play goal just two and a half minutes later to take the lead.
The men’s team ultimately collapsed as the Cougars scored another unanswered goal in the dying seconds of the game, the herd losing Friday night’s match 4-2. Saturday afternoon’s contest saw the herd fare no better. The Cougars jumped out to an early lead before the Bisons capitalized on a power-play goal courtesy of captain Jonny Hooker. Mount Royal punched back soon after with its second goal in the frame.
The Cougars would go on to add a power-play goal of their own in the second before going up 4-1 on the herd in the third frame. While the Bisons would score a second goal by Josh Paulhus, Mount Royal would score an empty-netter and the herd would lose 5-2.
The Bisons men’s hockey team plays its next series against the Trinity Western University Spartans Nov. 2 and 3, while the women’s hockey team plays its series against the Spartans Nov. 3 and 4.
