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Jeff Miller - Bison Sports

Men's Hockey Written by: Marc Lagace

Bisons defeat Cougars 6-2, take three points in opening series against Regina

Manitoba now at 1-0-1 to start 2015-16 Canada West men's hockey regular season

Box Score The University of Manitoba Bisons men's hockey team took a commanding 6-2 win Saturday, October 10 over the Regina Cougars on the backend of their weekend series to start the Canada West season. It was a far cry from Friday, when it was the goalies stealing the show and the Cougars grinding out a 2-1 win in overtime.
 
Co-captain Jordan DePape lead the charge with the Bisons top line, scoring the game's first goal and assisting on two others. Justin Augert and rookie Brett Stovin both scored twice, while Shaq Merasty was rewarded for getting pucks to the net with three assists. It was welcome relief after a tough overtime loss the night before.
 
"It's good to see our team bounce back and have a much better performance today," said Bisons head coach Sirant, after the game. "It was a step forward as a team today, and it allowed us to take three points this weekend. Those are all-important points."
 
Byron Spriggs stopped 24 shots for his first win of the season, while Dawson MacAuley made 20 saves at the other end for the Cougars in the regulation loss.
 
"Byron Spriggs  was really good Friday night and today," said Bisons head coach Mike Sirant post-game. "He was outstanding for us and it's too bad they scored a couple of those late ones, but Byron was really good and when we did have some breakdowns, he was there tonight."
 
Manitoba improves their record to 1-0-1 with the win, while the Cougars fall to 1-1-0.
 
The first period featured great pace of play, as the teams exchanged scoring chances at both ends. Miguel Pereira was a spark for the Regina offence early, creating scoring chances and even breaking in on a quick breakaway in the game's opening minutes. But Spriggs was there with his first of several clutch saves throughout the afternoon. 
 
It was a disciplined game; despite the physical intensity on display from both sides, the teams only went 0-for-1 on the power play. The Bisons had the first opportunity in the opening frame and did everything right but score, firing and reloading with a great cycle game, but the Regina netminder stood his ground despite facing a barrage of shots.
 
The Bisons opened scoring at 11:47, as a Merasty blast rebounded right to the stick of co-captain Jordan DePape, who made no mistake with a wide open net as MacAuley sprawled to get back into position.
 
That lead would double just three minutes later, as Brett Stovin made a great play on his first goal of the night, flicking the puck just over MacAuley and just under the crossbar. Merasty  and DePape chipped in with the assists as the Bisons headed into the locker room having outshot their opponents 11-6, with a two-goal lead to show for it.
 
Sirant spoke highly of Stovin's first breakout game as a Bison.
 
"Brett was a very sought after recruit," said Sirant. "We were very thrilled to have him choose to play for Manitoba because we knew what he could bring to our team."
 
The Cougars looked to cut into the Bison lead early by upping their physical game, and hoping to capitalize on the power play in the opening minute of the second period. But Manitoba's penalty killers did a great job of frustrating the Cougar attack, preventing any sustained attack in the zone, with Spriggs able to turn aside the few shots Regina mustered.
 
The Bisons continued to press hard in the second, connecting on long stretch passes through the neutral zone and breaking in on odd-man rushes. It was a scrappy, physical period with both teams taking the body as often as possible and forcing miscues from the other side.

Justin Augert first goal of the game extended the Bisons' lead to three. Rookie forward Jordyn Boyd picking up his first CIS career point and co-captain Luke Paulsen also got on the score sheet with an assist as well.  While the Cougars were not without their chances, the Bisons continued to dominate the pace of play, taking commanding 3-0 lead into the third period.
 
And it only got worse for the visitors from there, as Manitoba doubled their lead in the third. Brett Brooks jumped on a loose puck just inside the Regina blue line and slid it past MacAuley unassisted and just moments later, DePape broke in with Stovin on the wing, sliding it to Stovin who sniped his second goal of the game. Augert also made it a multi-goal game, cashing in on another great rebound from Merasty.
 
"Each one of those players (on the top line) bring something important to that line that really meshes well," said Sirant. "They set the standard tonight. They had some really great shifts at the start of each period that our team could build on. They really created some great momentum for us.
 
Dylan Mckinlay spoiled Spriggs' shutout bid late in the third, and JJ Coleshaw added another for the Cougars before the final whistle.
 
Manitoba now heads on the road for a tough series against Mount Royal on October 16 and 17, while Regina hosts Alberta for their regular season home opener.
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Players Mentioned

Justin Augert

#24 Justin Augert

F
6' 3"
2nd
2
Jordan DePape

#27 Jordan DePape

F
6' 0"
3rd
3
Shaq Merasty

#25 Shaq Merasty

F
6' 5"
3rd
3
Luke Paulsen

#6 Luke Paulsen

D
6' 0"
3rd
3
Byron Spriggs

#35 Byron Spriggs

G
6' 1"
2nd
2
Brett Brooks

#21 Brett Brooks

F
6' 0"
1st
1
Jordyn Boyd

#22 Jordyn Boyd

F
6' 1"
1st
1
Brett Stovin

#28 Brett Stovin

F
6' 1"
1st
1

Players Mentioned

Justin Augert

#24 Justin Augert

6' 3"
2nd
2
F
Jordan DePape

#27 Jordan DePape

6' 0"
3rd
3
F
Shaq Merasty

#25 Shaq Merasty

6' 5"
3rd
3
F
Luke Paulsen

#6 Luke Paulsen

6' 0"
3rd
3
D
Byron Spriggs

#35 Byron Spriggs

6' 1"
2nd
2
G
Brett Brooks

#21 Brett Brooks

6' 0"
1st
1
F
Jordyn Boyd

#22 Jordyn Boyd

6' 1"
1st
1
F
Brett Stovin

#28 Brett Stovin

6' 1"
1st
1
F