The Bison women's hockey team plays the first of two weekends at home as they host the Lethbridge Pronghorns at the Wayne Fleming Arena during the January 22-23 weekend. Puck drop versus the Pronghorns will be 7 p.m. CT on Friday and 1 p.m. CT on Saturday. 

This is an important series as Manitoba battling for a high playoff spot as they now are in fifth spot in the Canada West standings entering the weekend with a 10-8-0-2 record for 32 points but only three points out of first place held by UBC and Alberta. Lethbridge is battling for a playoff spot as they sit outside in seventh spot right with a 6-1-2-1 record and 23 points.

This is the second weekend series between the two teams this season as they played earlier in November at Lethbridge and the Bisons won both contests (W 4-0 on Nov. 13/15 and W 1-0 on Nov. 14/15).

Manitoba is 4-4 at home so far this season and last play a conference game at home on November 28 and won 1-0 over Regina.

Manitoba and Lethbridge have four players in the Canada West Top 15 scoring. For the Bisons, second year forward Alanna Sharman is tied for tenth with 13 points (six goals, seven assists) while third year eligible (first year with Bisons) forward Karissa Kirkup (4g, 9a) is also tied for tenth at 13 points while third year forward Alana Serhan (2g, 10a) is tied for 13th with 12 points. For the Pronghorns, Lauren Fredrich (7g, 6a) is tied for tenth at 13 points.

In the nets, Bison third year netminder Rachel Dyck has played in 16 out of 20 conference regular season games and in third place in Canada West with a 1.55 Goals Against Average and third in Save Percentage at .935 and tied for fourth with eight conference wins. Both Dyck and third year goalie Amanda Schubert are tied for fourth with two shutouts apiece.

Bison Notes: Manitoba will enjoy home as they play six of their last eight Canada West games (Lethbridge, Saskatchewan, UBC) at home to finish the conference regular season on February 13.