The Bisons women’s hockey team faced the Saskatchewan Huskies on Jan. 17 at the Investors Group Athletic Centre. The herd ended up losing the game 2-0.

The first period of the game showcased a fiercely competitive tone as both teams vied for control right from the opening faceoff. The Bisons utilized a strategy focusing on aggressive forechecking and quick transitions, putting pressure on the Huskies’ defence.

At 2:48, Julianna Herman from the Huskies broke through the defence and scored, giving her team an early lead. Despite numerous scoring opportunities created by the Bisons’ sharpshooters, the goaltending for the Huskies was stellar, keeping the game scoreless. The defensive gameplay was highlighted by tight checking and quick puck clearances, setting a high-intensity pace for the match.

In the second period, the dynamics shifted slightly as both teams adjusted their strategies. The Huskies began to capitalize on their power-play opportunities, demonstrating improved puck control and setup in the offensive zone. The herd tried to level the score but failed. However, the Huskies responded with resilience, tightening their defence and relying on counterattacks to create scoring chances. The tension on the ice was palpable, with both teams displaying a mix of tactical play and physical confrontations.

The final period turned into a nail-biting climax as the Bisons sought to overturn the lead established by the Huskies. The Bisons increased their offensive onslaught, leading to a very dynamic and fast-paced gameplay. The Huskies, on the other hand, focused on maintaining their lead with strong defensive formations and quick breakouts. In a turbulent conclusion to the match, multiple fights broke out, escalating into brawls that overshadowed the gameplay.

The third period witnessed the focus shifting from scoring points to exchanging physical blows in a heated display of rivalry and aggression. However, in the remaining nine minutes, Ava Bergman from the Huskies capitalized on a breakaway, scoring another crucial goal that contributed significantly to their victory over the Bisons.

The Huskies managed to fend off several aggressive maneuvers from the Bisons and the period concluded with intense final minutes, showcasing the athletes’ endurance and strategic acumen under pressure. In the closing minutes of a tightly contested match, the Bisons took a bold strategic risk by pulling their goalie not once, but twice, in a desperate bid to equalize the score. This high-stakes maneuver left their net unguarded, significantly increasing the risk of conceding additional goals.

The Bisons’ decision to play without a goalie underscored their aggressive approach to push for a goal, leveraging the extra attacker to apply intense pressure on the Huskies defence. Despite the increased vulnerability, the Bisons managed to avoid conceding further, although they were ultimately unable to find the back of the net. This daring strategy highlighted their commitment and urgency to try and salvage a result from the game.

Bisons forward Sophia Anderson, despite not registering any goals or assists, was recognized for her performance by achieving four shots on net. Dana Goertzen, a forward for the Bisons, played a noticeable role in the game by taking a total of five shots on net. Goertzen was actively seeking opportunities to score and make a significant impact for her team.

In a post-match interview when asked about the team’s performance, interim head coach Jordy Zacharias stated, “I thought we played a pretty good game. First period I think we could have cleaned up a little bit and then the last 40 [minutes] I thought were pretty strong and we just ran into a pretty good goalie. We threw everything we could at her, but she played well.”

Inquiring about standout players, Zacharias remarked, “I thought all four lines were rolling pretty good in terms of offence. I don’t know if there’s one in particular, but from our forward standpoint, lots of good offensive chances.”

When questioned about the third period’s events, Zacharias responded, “I mean we play [Saskatchewan] quite a bit in the season and so now we’re into our second weekend and I’m sure our third weekend will be even more physical. But it was a pretty clean game for the most part. It was physical where it needed to be, but nothing really to worry about.”

Regarding the strategic decision to switch the goalie for an offensive player toward the end of the game, Zacharias explained, “if you’re down by a goal or two at the end of the game, you usually pull your goalie and try and get an extra attack out there to try and get a goal.”

The Bisons faced the Huskies the following day in a rematch and won 3-2 in overtime.

The Bisons women’s hockey team are scheduled to play the MacEwan Griffins on Friday, Jan. 24 at 8 p.m. CT and on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 4 p.m. CT in Edmonton.