Saturday is a buffet of sports action here at the U of M campus, with four sports in one day. We're calling it Super Spooky Saturday, and all you have to do is dress up in a costume to get in free at football, volleyball, and women's hockey!
Meanwhile, on the road, Bison women's soccer are in the playoffs and looking to punch their ticket to the Canada West Final Four. That, and what else to look forward to, in our weekend preview.
Women's Soccer at UNBC (October 26, 8 PM)
GAME NOTES
WATCH: CanadaWest.tv
UPDATES: follow @BisonWSOC on Twitter
The playoffs have arrived for Bison women's soccer, as they travel to UBC for a play in game against the UNBC Timberwolves. Manitoba comes in as the no. 3 seed in the Prairie division, with a record of 6-5-3, while the Timberwolves are the no. 6 seed in the Pacific division at 3-8-3.
The winner of the play in game faces the host UBC Thunderbirds (10-3-1) on Sunday, Oct. 28.
The Bisons haven't played the Timberwolves since the 2017 season, but come in with their defence on a hot streak, earning clean sheets in five of six games. Manitoba will surely look to mark the Timberwolves' Paige Payne, who has eight of her team's 19 goals this season — good for fourth in the conference.
Manitoba is led by
Bruna Mavignier, who has five goals this season, three of them game-winners. The Bisons last qualified for the Canada West playoffs last season, when they lost a play in game to UBC, 3-1.
Football vs. UBC – October 27 (2 PM)
GAME NOTES
WATCH: CanadaWest.tv
LIVE STATS
UPDATES: follow @MBBisons on Twitter
Both the Manitoba Bisons (3-4) and no. 10 ranked UBC Thunderbirds (4-3) are assured a trip to the Canada West playoffs. The only questions are where they'll go and who they'll play. Saturday's Week 8 matchup will go far in deciding this.
Manitoba can finish as high as third in the conference, and will need Saskatchewan to beat Regina and to beat UBC by at least 11 points to secure a tiebreaker over the Birds.
For a full picture of playoff scenarios, read this breakdown from Canada West.
The Bisons and Thunderbirds bookend the season with matchups, as UBC won 30-20 at Thunderbird Stadium in Week 1. Kory Nagata was the story of that game, as the fifth-year Thunderbirds running back amassed 136 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. Manitoba's rush game should be up to par in this one. Running back
Jamel Lyles continues to lead the conference in yards per game (95.2), as the Bisons lead Canada West in rushing yardage and attempts.
The Thunderbirds, meanwhile, are peaking at the right time after an up-and-down season. They've won two straight games and are back in the U SPORTS Top 10 this week. UBC quarterback Michael O'Connor has improved a pass-heavy attack, averaging 316.1 yards through the air and totaling 10 touchdowns.
Bison football tickets are available on Ticketmaster, with U of M students and fans 17-and-under in free. All those wearing a costume also get in free!
Volleyball vs. MacEwan – October 27 (4/5:45 PM), October 28 (2/3:45 PM)
WATCH: CanadaWest.tv
UPDATES: follow @BisonMVB and @BisonWVB on Twitter
Both Bison volleyball teams will look to put an 0-2 opening weekend behind them, as they play their home openers vs. MacEwan in front of passionate fans at Investors Group Athletic Centre.
The Griffins men, coming in ranked 12
th in the conference coaches poll, will have to deal with a strong Bisons block — including second-year middle
Brendan Warren, who racked up 13 blocks in two matches against Mount Royal. On the women's side, the Bisons will look to slow down a 2-0 Griffins team led by outside hitter Hailey Cornelis, who had 20 kills against UBCO last weekend. Their defensive leader is likely up to the task, as
Cassie Bujan leads Canada West with 5.56 digs per set through two matches.
Bison volleyball tickets are $10 and available at the door, with U of M students and fans 17-and-under in free. All those wearing a costume also get in free!
#2 Women's Hockey vs. Mount Royal – October 27 (7 PM), October 28 (2 PM)
WATCH: CanadaWest.tv
LISTEN: UMFM 101.5
UPDATES: follow @umbisonsWHKY on Twitter
After two nail-biting wins in Regina, the Bison women (3-2-1-0) are back home to take on Mount Royal (2-3-0-1) for a pair of games. Manitoba is riding high after a 4-3 shootout win that could galvanize some momentum for the nation's no. 2 team.
The Cougars have just seven goals in six games, with forwards Anna Purschke and Breanne Trotter leading the way with four points each. Manitoba, meanwhile, continues to be led by fifth-year
Lauryn Keen, who has two goals and four assists and a 1.00 point per game average so far this season.
Bison hockey tickets are $10 and available at the door, with U of M students and fans 17-and-under in free. All those wearing a costume also get in free!
It's season opener weekend for Bison basketball,
as they travel to Brandon.
Basketball at Brandon – October 26 (6/8 PM), October 27 (5/7 PM)
WATCH: CanadaWest.tv
LIVE STATS: Men, Women
UPDATES: follow @BisonMBB and @BisonWBB on Twitter
Hoops season is finally ready to get going, as both Bison teams start their seasons in the Wheat City.
If the preseason coaches poll is any indication, the women's matchup should be fairly even. Manitoba comes in ranked 11
th, while Brandon is ranked 14
th. The Bobcats will be looking to fifth-year forward Lauren Anderson to pick up the scoring load. Anderson averaged 12.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game last season.
On the men's side, the Bisons are favoured — ranked 7
th to the Bobcats' 12
th in the poll. The matchup to watch in this one is
Rashawn Browne and Tyvon Cooper, two guards who can pour in the points. Browne averaged 12.8 points per game last season, while Cooper averaged 20.2.
Men's Hockey at Mount Royal – October 26 (8 PM), October 27 (4 PM)
WATCH: CanadaWest.tv
UPDATES: follow @umbisonsWHKY on Twitter
It was a disappointing home weekend for the Bisons against Regina, as they look to get back in the points column with a road trip to play Mount Royal. Both teams have been up and down to start, with Manitoba at 2-4-0 and the Cougars at 2-2-2.
Forward David Stephens has been a marksman in his first six games, with two goals and five assists making him second in the conference in points. The Bisons, meanwhile, will try to get their defence going after giving up a conference-high 23 goals in their first five games.
Cross Country – Stewart Cup (October 27), Manitoba Championships (October 28)
Bison cross country will be splitting up for a pair of late fall events to close their regular season schedule. On Saturday, they'll compete in the Stewart Memorial Cup in Calgary, while Sunday's Chris McCubbins Provincial Championships take place here in Winnipeg at Kilcona Park.
Swimming – St. James Seals Invitational (October 27-28)
At Pan Am Pool, the Bison swim teams get their season going with the St. James Seals Invitational this Saturday and Sunday. The event features local swim teams from across the province, as the Bisons will look to tune up for the Odlum Brown College Cup at UBC next weekend.
Notes from the Range
