The University of Manitoba Bisons men’s hockey team ran into a hot Mount Royal Cougars powerplay unit over the weekend, falling 6-1 on Friday and 3-1 on Saturday. Overall, the home squad went 4 for 6 with the extra skater, and also recorded a short-handed goal, while the herd was 0 for 5.
Friday’s game featured a three-goal first period for the Cougars, where Bison goalie Justin Paulic was peppered with 17 shots. Manitoba was never able to bounce back, registering just 18 shots all told.
The Bisons took an early penalty and Mount Royal made them pay, as Matthew Brown potted the first marker of the game at just 5:58. The Cougars would add a second tally at 10:54, but the goal that really blew the wind out of the Bisons’ sails was Tyler Fiddler’s, which was scored with just one second left in the opening frame.
To make matters worse, it was a short-handed goal, as the herd had gone on a powerplay with 27 seconds left in the first.
The rest is history, as the Cougars would add three more goals – two of which were scored with the man advantage, to secure the win.
Manitoba’s Liam Bilton did manage to get the herd on the board with less than two minutes to go in the third, but it was far too late to matter.
The rematch on Saturday featured a fast-paced second period, where three of the game’s four goals were scored.
It was a bit of déjà vu for the Bisons, as Mount Royal opened the scoring on the powerplay yet again, this time in the middle period. Once more, it was Brown with the goal.
The Bisons stayed determined, though, tying the game up at 9:04 courtesy of their top line. Brett Stovin would get the equalizer, with assists going to his linemates Shaq Merasty and Jordan DePape.
The tie was short-lived, however, as Cody Cartier – who’s been a thorn in the Bisons’ side on many occasions throughout his career, scored the game-winning goal at 11:17.
The Cougars would add an insurance tally at 18:06 of the third to put the icing on top of their weekend sweep.
For Mount Royal, the two wins were their first in a young Canada West hockey season, as they improved their record to 2-1-1. With the back-to-back losses, the Bisons fell to 1-2-1.
Next up for Manitoba is a home series this weekend against the UBC Thunderbirds, who have yet to lose in regulation play this year. Game times are 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday.
