Box Score Written by: John Gaudes

WINNIPEG  - A promising game ended in a shootout loss the night before, so the Bisons women's hockey team were again looking for an upset win over the #6-ranked UBC Thunderbirds on Saturday, November 23 at the Wayne Fleming Arena.

Though it was another fight down the stretch, the Bisons were able to close the deal, winning 3-2 to move to 8-4-2 on the year. UBC falls to 10-3-1.

Manitoba got goals from Kayleigh Weins, Caitlin MacDonald and Maggie Litchfield-Medd, as well as an exceptional night from first-year goaltender Amanda Schubert, who had 24 tough saves in the win.

UBC got a goal from Devon Morrison, and a goal and an assist from Stephanie Schaupmeyer, while goalie Samantha Langford made 29 saves in the loss.

"We were solid [tonight]. Came out with good energy and played with a lead, I thought that was key for a bit there. The power play came to life too, that was overdue," said Bisons head coach Jon Rempel.

"Our penalty killing was exceptional, we were exceptional at that all weekend. I just feel we played a good, hard-nosed gritty game."

After coming out swinging the night before, Manitoba saw a better match from UBC to start Saturday's game. The Bisons, though, were still able to get on the board first, as Wiens banked a wrap-around off Langford three minutes in. They couldn't avoid giving up another late-period goal to the Thunderbirds, though, as Schaupmeyer redirected a Christi Capozzi blue-liner to tie it up with just 39 seconds left in the frame.

In the second, the Bisons had renewed energy, and were able to take advantage of two consecutive UBC penalties - one minute into the period, MacDonald grabbed a skittering puck on the opposite side of Langford's net to put it in. Just a minute after, Litchfield-Medd put in a great rebound off an Amy Lee shot to put Manitoba up by two.

With Schubert making some big saves through the rest of the second and through the third, the Bisons were able to hold their lead. Their opportunities down the stretch outnumbered the Thunderbirds', but Morrison was able to put a long, low shot five-hole to cut the Bisons lead to one with two minutes left. UBC put the pressure on after that, but Manitoba escaped by the skin of their teeth, fighting their way to a win.

The Bisons women's hockey team will stay at home to finish the first half of their schedule, as they host Alberta for a weekend back-to-back starting Friday, November 29. Puck drops at the Wayne Fleming Arena at 7 p.m. CST. Meanwhile, UBC heads home to play Lethbridge on the same day at the same time.

Game stats at: http://www.leaguestat.com/canadawest/women/en/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1720