The #8 Bison women's hockey team (1-1-0-0) continues the 2017-18 Canada West conference season by playing at home for the first time in regular season action as they host the defending U SPORTS champion and #1 ranked Alberta Pandas (1-0-0-1) on October 13-14 at the Wayne Fleming Arena (U of M Fort Garry campus). Puck drop versus the Pandas will be 7 p.m. CT on Friday and 7:30 p.m. CT on Saturday.
The Bisons are heading into the first two games at home in the regular season after a split weekend start to the Canada West season at UBC. This is the consecutive weekend the Herd face a Top 2 ranked team in U SPORTS.
This is the first weekend series between the two teams this season. In 2016-17, the Herd went 0-3-0-1 against the Pandas (L 4-3 [SO] on Nov. 18/16 and L 1-0 on Nov. 19/16 at home; L 5-2 on Feb. 10/17 and L 2-1 on Feb. 11/17 on the road).
Manitoba looks to continue their strong play at home in 2017-18. Last season, the Herd went a sparkling 10-3-0-1 at the Wayne Fleming Arena.
In conference scoring, Bison fourth year forward Venla Hovi (one goal, two assists) is tied for third with three points. In addition, fourth year forward
Lauryn Keen (1g, 1a) and
Alanna Sharman (0g, 2a) plus third year forward
Jordyn Zacharias (0g, 2a) are tied for ninth spot with two points.
In Canada West goaltending stats, rookie Lauren Taraschuk is sixth in Goals Against Average at 1.42 and eighth with .909 Save Pct. in one game played.
The Bisons have face Alberta over the last three seasons in the playoffs. In 2016-17, Manitoba lost 2-0 in CW best-of-three Semi-final series on the road while in 2015-16, the Herd won 2-1 in CW best-of-three Semi-final series on the road. During 2014-15, Manitoba faced Alberta on the road in Canada West best-of-three Final series and lost 2-0.
Bison Notes: In the 2016-17 season, the Bisons won the home opener game by a 5-1 result over Regina on October 20, 2016. The last time Manitoba hosted Alberta in their home opener weekend series, the Bisons won 2-1 (Oct. 3/15) and then lost 4-0 the next night at home.
