The Bisons women’s hockey team spent the last two weekends taking on the University of Calgary Dinos and the University of Alberta Pandas, earning a sweep and a split for the herd, respectively.
Weekend one
The Bisons women’s hockey team secured a thrilling weekend series victory against the Calgary Dinos, winning 3-2 on Friday, Feb. 13 and 5-0 on Saturday, Feb 14.
In Friday’s intense matchup, Julia Bird struck early, giving the Bisons the lead in the first minute [01:15]. The Bisons’ strong start was followed by a penalty to Sophia Anderson in the fourth minute [04:26], but the Dinos failed to capitalize on the power play opportunity. The first period ended with the Bisons leading 1-0.
The Dinos mounted a comeback in the second period, scoring two power play goals. Sadie Keller’s tripping penalty for the Bisons led to Hannah Reagh’s equalizing goal for the Dinos, and Bison Brenna Nicol’s penalty allowed Dino Evelyn Lawrence to give her team the lead. The Bisons responded in the third period, with Aimee Patrick scoring on a power play goal after Lawrence was sent off. The game remained tied 2-2, sending it to overtime, where the Bisons scored the winning goal.
The Bisons outshot the Dinos 40-20 in Friday’s game. In Saturday’s rematch, Hanna Bailey scored the game’s first goal for the Bisons in the 10th minute [10:05]. The Bisons held on to the lead despite Bailey being sent to the penalty box for interference. The first period ended with no further scoring.
In the second period, the Bisons’ Jessie Haner served a penalty for bodychecking but scored the herd’s second goal shortly after her return. Bird and Norah Collins padded the Bisons’ lead in the third period, making it 4-0. Alyssa Rasmuson capped off the shutout, scoring the Bisons’ fifth goal in the 14th minute [14:30]. The Bisons dominated the Dinos, outshooting them 41-13.
Weekend two
The Bisons women’s hockey team secured a 2-5 win on Friday, Feb. 20 and suffered a 4-2 loss on Saturday, Feb. 21 in their weekend playoff series against the Alberta Pandas.
In Friday’s win, the Bisons struck early, with Nicol scoring in the first minute [01:20]. The Pandas equalized on a power play goal in the 12th minute [12:36], but the Bisons responded with goals from Bird and Haner, taking a 3-1 lead. The Pandas fought back, scoring in the 17th minute [17:02], but the Bisons’ goaltender Emily Shippam sealed the win with an empty net goal, followed by Keller’s insurance goal. The Bisons outshot the Pandas 20-27.
In Saturday’s rematch, the Pandas struck first, but the Bisons tied the game and took the lead in the second period. The Pandas regained the lead in the third period and scored a fourth goal to secure the win. The Bisons outshot the Pandas 22-36.
In the quarterfinal’s playoff on Sunday, Feb. 22, the Bisons won the Pandas 6-2, qualifying for the semifinals. The Bisons outshot the pandas 22-25, and will now play against the Mount Royal Cougars in the semi-finals on Friday, Feb.27 and Saturday, Feb.28, at the Cougars home.
