There's been a lot of anticipation ahead of this weekend on the U of M campus. For the first time since 2014, a Bisons team will hang a national championship banner in one of our facilities, as women's hockey will do so in a pre-game ceremony at their home opener on Friday.
Meanwhile, on the pitch, Bison women's soccer are moving over to Investors Group Field to rekindle their rivalry with the Winnipeg Wesmen in a Duckworth Challenge match.
This, and what else to look forward to, in our weekend preview.
Women's Hockey vs. Calgary – October 5 (7 PM), October 6 (2 PM)
WATCH: CanadaWest.tv
LISTEN: UMFM 101.5
UPDATES: follow @umbisonsWHKY on Twitter
Ranked number one in the Canada West preseason coaches' poll and returning 21 of 24 players, it's safe to say that there's hype around Bison women's hockey heading into 2018-19.
Before dropping the puck on a new season, though, the team will look back at its U SPORTS and Canada West title run in the spring. At Friday night's home opener, the team will reveal both championship banners to fans at Wayne Fleming Arena. The pre-game banner ceremony will include local dignitaries as well as alumni from the 2017-18 squad.
Then, a game breaks out. Manitoba opens their season against the Calgary Dinos, who come in ranked seventh in the preseason coaches' poll.
The Dinos finished last season 8-20 and missed out on the conference playoffs, but will be stout in their own zone — backed up by standout third-year goalie Kelsey Roberts, who had six shutouts in 2017-18.
Bison women's hockey and Calgary will meet for the second game of their weekend series on Saturday, with a puck drop at 2 PM.
Tickets for Friday and Saturday are $10 at the door. U of M students and fans 17-and-under get in free.
For Friday, don't forget to wear white and bring a can of food for the UMSU Food Bank! The Sport for North initiative is also collecting gently used sporting equipment for those affected by rail service in the Churchill community.
Women's Soccer vs. Winnipeg - Duckworth Challenge, October 6 (2 PM)
WATCH: CanadaWest.tv
UPDATES: follow @BisonWSOC on Twitter
It's one of the best rivalries in Manitoba sports, and this weekend the 28
th edition of the Duckworth Challenge begins at Investors Group Field.
The Bisons and Wesmen meet at 2 PM on Saturday, with more than just bragging rights on the line. The 2-4-2 Bisons are in the thick of the Canada West Prairie division standings, with just three weeks left to jockey for playoff position. They sit in fourth, while Winnipeg is tied for the sixth and last playoff spot at 0-4-4. Both teams have a lot to play for on a big stage — one that hosted the FIFA Women's World Cup back in 2015.
The match will also count toward the Duckworth Challenge, which is a five-sport series in women's soccer, basketball, and volleyball. The winner after five games holds the Duckworth Challenge Trophy for the next season.
The Bisons and Wesmen also face off in a conference game tonight at Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex, with first kick set for 7 PM.
Tickets for Saturday's game at Investors Group Field are available on Ticketmaster. U of M students, U of W students, U of W season ticket holders, and fans 17-and-under get in free!
Exhibition Rundown
It's a jampacked weekend for court sports as well, with exhibition games all over Canada.
- Men's hockey take an early conference bye to play a couple road exhibition games against U.S. opponents. The guys are set to play the North Dakota Fighting Hawks on Saturday and the Omaha Mavericks on Sunday.
- Men's basketball is hosting an invitational at Investors Group Athletic Centre this weekend, with York, Lethbridge, and Winnipeg all playing on Friday and Saturday. For game times, visit our schedule page. Tickets for all preseason games are $5, with students and 17U fans in free.
- Women's basketball, meanwhile, head over to the Duckworth Centre for a couple tune-up games against the Wesmen. Those games will be played on Friday and Saturday.
Notes from the Range
