Box Score WINNIPEG - A heated contest with a playoff atmosphere between two of the top teams in Can-West men's hockey ended with a 1-0 victory for the number eight ranked Manitoba Bisons over the number five ranked Mount Royal Cougars on Saturday, October 18 afternoon.
 
Bison first year defenseman Josh Elmes broke open a scoreless tie late in the third period with a low, hard wrist shot from the top of the right circle. Cougars goalie Cam Lanigan, who played an otherwise perfect game with 27 saves, never saw the shot thanks to a heavy screen. 
 
At the other end, Bison third year goalie Deven Dubyk was stellar, standing on his head at times and stopping all 28 shot he faced to blank Mount Royal.
 
When the Bisons needed Dubyk most, he was there. The visitors had two clean breakaways; one shorthanded by Zack Henry and one early in the third period by Cougars captain Mathew Brown. Dubyk was equal to the task both times, stretching out with the pad to rob both players. He was named the first star of the game.
 
The second half of a back to back between the two teams well familiar with each other held all the hallmarks of playoff game: physicality, intensity, penalties galore, and plenty of discussions after the whistle.
 
The playoff atmosphere was reflected in the pace, which was frenetic from start to finish, and in the constant physical play. Every inch of the ice was hotly contested, and the game saw several massive open ice hits.
 
"This really was like a playoff game," said Bison men's hockey head coach Mike Sirant. "And we have to play that way every game. So this was a really good experience for our team, and a step forward for us."
 
After losing 4-0 to the Cougars yesterday (Fri., Oct. 17), the Bisons were looking for a bounce-back performance and got one. "Mount Royal's a very good hockey team," said Sirant. "We weren't at our best last night. We corrected a lot of things."
 
The game was scoreless through two periods, but it wasn't for want of trying. There were many chances at both ends of the ice, most of them in tight, forcing both goalies to be strong. Mount Royal spent some time on a two-man advantage in the first period, and while they were unable to score, their power play ran like a well-oiled machine, forcing the penalty killers to be at their best.
 
At the other end, the Bisons had several power plays of their own, getting several quality chances but ultimately falling short.
 
The Bisons move to 5-3 on the conference season, while Mount Royal drops to 6-2 with just their second loss this season.  
 
Both teams can take advantage of a conference bye next week, and are back in action on Friday, October 31. Manitoba will be up against the University of Lethbridge on the road in the first half of a back to back, while the Cougars will play the first of a home-and-home against the Alberta Golden Bears.