With eight games left in the 2013-14 Canada West conference regular season, the Manitoba Bisons women's hockey team looks to continue their movement up the Canada West standings.
The Bisons host the Calgary Dinos on January 17-18 with game time on 7 p.m. CT on Friday and special matinee time of 1 p.m. CT on Saturday with games held at Wayne Fleming Arena (U of Manitoba campus).
Heading into the weekend series, Manitoba is tied in third spot in the Canada West standings with a 12-5-3 record for 27 points while Calgary holds sixth spot in conference with a 9-10-1 mark with 19 points. The top six teams in Canada West make the playoffs and top 2 give first round bye.
Manitoba has gained at least a point in last five conference games and has only lost in regulation once in the last 11 games. The Bisons are tied with Alberta and one point back of second place Saskatchewan while only six points back of defending Canada West champion UBC in first place.
Both teams played earlier this year at Calgary and the teams split the weekend series. The Herd won 3-1 (Oct. 25/13) and Calgary won 3-0 (Oct. 26/13). Manitoba is 7-2-1 at home so far this season.
For the Bisons, Bison forward Kyleigh Palmer (12 goals, seven assists) leads the team and tied for third in conference scoring with 19 points while forwards Meagan Vestby (5g, 13a) is fifth with 18 points and Maggie Litchfield-Medd (7g, 8a) is tenth in Canada West with 15 points. Palmer is first and Caitlin MacDonald (4g, 4a) is sixth in conference defenceman scoring. Goalie Dée-Ana Marion is fourth in Canada West women's hockey goaltending stats with a 1.58 Goals Against Average, eighth in Save Pct. at .922 and tied for third with two shutouts plus six conference wins so far this season.
Bison women's hockey home conference schedule for rest of 2013-14 season
Date Opponent/Result Time Place
Jan. 17-18 vs. Calgary at 7/1 p.m. CT Wayne Fleming Arena
Feb. 7-8 vs. Lethbridge at 7/6 p.m. CT Wayne Fleming Arena
