Box Score WINNIPEG - The No. 1 ranked University of Manitoba Bisons women's hockey team was back in action on January 12, taking on the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. Former Bison Jessica Vance backstops Saskatchewan to 3-1 win.

With loss, the Bisons fall to 11-5-2-1 while the Huskies rise to 12-6-0-1. Saskatchewan now vaults ahead of the Herd in the Canada west standings with the road victory.

"Thought they were more prepared to play than we were for whatever reason," Bisons Head Coach Jon Rempel said postgame. "I thought they were way hungier off the start and we were flat footed for the better part of two periods."

Saskatchewan opened the scoring early in the first period. Danielle Nogier stepped out from behind the Bisons net and put a backhand shot on goal. Manitoba goaltender Rachel Dyck made the initial stop, but Kayla Kirwan got on the loose puck lifting it over her shoulder and in for the 1-0 Saskatchewan lead.

Manitoba was unable to get much going in the first period, sending only six shots onto Huskies' netminder Vance. In the second, the Herd got going with some energy but once again she was equal to the task, keeping her team ahead.

The home side came close to tying the game early in the third period. A shot from the right faceoff dot was stopped by Vance and Lauryn Keen thought she saw a loose puck. She drove towards the puck and appeared to get it through but the Saskatchewan goalie was able to keep it out.

The Huskies extended their lead with eight minutes left to play. A misply behind the Bisons goal wound up on the stick of Rachel Lundberg and she snapped it home to put Saskatchewan up 2-0. 

A lucky bounce in front got the Bisons within one. A pass from Keen bounced off a Huskies stick, up and over Vance, ending her shutout bid and cutting her side's lead to 2-1

Saskatchewan added an empty net goal, taking the Friday night game 3-1.

Both teams will meet again tommorrow afternoon, 4 p.m. CT at Wayne Fleming Arena.

Three Stars
1 - Jessica Vance SASK (23 SA, 22 SV)
2 - Rachel Lundberg SASK (1G, 0A)
3 - Rachel Dyck MAN (18 SA, 16 SV)