Box Score Lethbridge – Exploding for five first period goals, the Manitoba Bisons completed the weekend sweep of the Lethbridge Pronghorns with a convincing 9-3 victory on Saturday, January 21 in men's hockey and took control of fifth place in the Canada West standings.
Entering the weekend the Pronghorns and Bisons were tied for fifth with 19 points and with the win the Bisons improve 11-10-1 on the season after winning their fifth game in last six conference contests. Depending the results of Calgary Dinos' Saturday night game tonight, the Bisons could find themselves within two points of fourth and a home playoff date.
The loss is now the Pronghorns sixth in a row and could not have come at a worse time for the Pronghorns. Heading into 2017, the 'Horns had their sights on a push for a home playoff date but now they will be fighting for their playoff lives next weekend. The 'Horns drop to 8-11-3 and sit only three points ahead of the UBC Thunderbirds for the final playoff spot. UBC will play Saskatchewan Huskies later tonight and then travel to Lethbridge next weekend to take on the Pronghorns.
Looking to keep pace with the Bisons for fifth in the Canada West standings, the Pronghorns couldn't have gotten off to a worse start. Only 18-seconds into the game,
Brett Stovin banged home his fourth of the season to give the Bisons the early 1-0 lead.
Before the game was two minutes old, the Bisons' doubled their lead with Rene Hunter's point shot deflecting off Quintin Lisoway and past 'Horns goaltender Damien Ketlo. The rough first period continued for the Pronghorns as the Bisons scored twice in 20-seconds. Warren Callis scored his fourth at the season at 12:37 and Lisoway beat Ketlo glove side, spelling the end of Ketlo's day.
Warren Shymko didn't fare much better as the Bisons picked up their fifth goal of the period on the power play. DePape was credited with his second of the game and 11th of the season.
After a poor opening period the Pronghorns got themselves back into the game scoring three straight goals, cutting the Bison lead to 5-3. Captain Tim Campbell got the Pronghorns on the board on two-man advantage.
Jay Merkley brought the Pronghorns within three, beating Spriggs high blocker side for his fifth of the season and Ryon Moser snapped home a low shot to cut the score to 5-3.
Just when it looked like a Pronghorn comeback was possible, the Bisons regained their three goal lead with
Warren Callis picked up his second of the game to slow the Pronghorns momentum.
Starting the period with a two-man advantage, the Bisons swarmed the Pronghorns in the early going and just after the first penalty expired
Remi Laurencelle chipped a rebound up an over a sprawled Shymko to make it 7-3.
Justin Augert made it 8-3 with just under five minutes to play and Shaun Bowles banged home a loose puck with five-seconds to play to round out the scoring.
Ketlo stopped seven of 11 shots he faced in the opening period and Warren Shymko turned aside 38 shots as the Bisons outshot the Pronghorns 54-37.
Byron Spriggs picked up his second consecutive win with a 34 save performance.
The Pronghorns face a virtual must win next weekend, hosting the UBC Thunderbirds Friday night and Saturday afternoon. The Bisons will return home to host the Calgary Dinos, who they are chasing for fourth spot in the standings.
