Reading week is wrapping up (already??), and if you need to study some Bisons action before returning to classes, this is the weekend for you.
On the court, the Bison volleyball teams will face a test against the no. 6-ranked Golden Bears and no. 4-ranked Pandas. Meanwhile, Bison men's hockey return to the friendly confines of Wayne Fleming Arena, looking to snap a losing streak against the visiting Thunderbirds.
That, and what else to look forward to, in our weekend preview.
Men's Hockey vs. UBC – November 16 (7 PM), November 17 (1 PM)
WATCH: CanadaWest.tv
LISTEN: UMFM.com
UPDATES: follow @umbisonsMHKY on Twitter
It's been a tough stretch for Bison men's hockey (2-8-0), as they've lost seven straight dating back to early October. Still, the team is feeling resilient and ready for a home weekend against unranked UBC, who come in 5-5-0 and on a three-game losing streak of their own.
Something will have to give between these two, and it could come down to the play of a veteran and a rookie for the Herd. First, the vet:
Brett Stovin is leading Manitoba with seven points (four goals, three assists) in ten games, also posting 26 shots for the Bisons. The rookie is
Jeremey Leipsic, who has come on recently with four points in Manitoba's last five games.
UBC is led by the dual threat of Austin Vetterl and Carter Popoff, as the two forwards have combined for 16 points. The T-Birds have also struggled in their own end — while they're in fourth place at 5-5, the team has a -11 goal differential and is third-to-last in goals against at 37.
Tickets for Bison hockey are $10 at the door, with U of M students and fans 17-and-under in free.
Volleyball vs. Alberta – November 16 (6/7:45 PM), November 17 (5/6:45 PM)
WATCH: CanadaWest.tv
UPDATES: follow @BisonWVB and @BisonMVB on Twitter
The weekend for Bison volleyball should be highly entertaining, as two 3-3 Manitoba teams face ranked opponents from Alberta.
The
Bison women come in with some momentum after a five-set marathon win in UBC last weekend. They'll need it against the No. 4 ranked Pandas, who are 6-2 and tied for second in the conference. Expect a lot of sets for Kory White, who is second in Canada West with 112 kills (4.15 per set) and first in total attacks with 348.
The
Bison men also split their weekend in UBC and face the No. 6 ranked Golden Bears. Manitoba, who were previously ranked, should present a challenge to the visiting Bears. Outside hitter
Kevin Negus is still in the top five for CW kills per set at 3.77. On the Alberta side, Taryq Sani is second in the conference with 113 kills.
Bison volleyball tickets are $10 and available at the door, with U of M students and fans 17-and-under in free.
#1 Women's Hockey at UBC – November 16 (9 PM), November 17 (4 PM)
WATCH: CanadaWest.tv
UPDATES: follow @umbisonsWHKY on Twitter
Winners of six straight, Bison women's hockey (7-2-1-0) head to the coast for an important weekend against the Thunderbirds (4-2-2-2).
UBC will try to slow down a Bisons attack firing on all cylinders, now with a CW-best 32 goals in ten games. The T-Birds have two scorers of their own in Hannah Clayton-Carroll and Mathea Fischer — the two forwards have combined for 17 points (eight goals, nine assists).
This matchup could also come down to who takes advantage on the power play. Both teams rank near the bottom in CW on the advantage, with Manitoba at 12.1 per cent and UBC at 10.2.
Basketball at Regina – November 16 (12/2 PM), November 17 (4/6 PM)
WATCH: CanadaWest.TV
UPDATES: follow @BisonWBB and @BisonMBB
Off to their best start in 20 years,
Bison women's basketball (5-1) face another test in No. 9 ranked Regina (4-2), going against a team that made it all the way to the U SPORTS semi-finals last season. The Cougars' attack is led by Winnipeg native Kyanna Giles, a slasher averaging 17 points per game on 48.4 per cent shooting. Her matchup with Manitoba's backcourt of
Nicole Konieczny (21.0 PPG) and
Taylor Randall (20.0 PPG) should be outstanding.
For the
Bison men (2-4), they'll be trying to shake memories of an overtime loss to UBC and compete with the 4-2 Cougars. Regina's balanced attack should centre around Brayden Kuski (12.8 PPG) and Samuel Hillis (12.2 PPG). On Manitoba's side,
Rashawn Browne is showing great percentages — his 19.7 PPG is on 46 per cent shooting from the field and 42.9 from three.
Swimming – Bison Swim IM Invitational – November 17 at 1 PM
Fresh off their first road event of the season in Vancouver, the Bison swim teams host their Bison Sprint IM Invitational on Saturday at Pan Am Pool. The headline coming out of the Odlum Brown College Cup on Nov. 3-4 was third-year swimmer
Kelsey Wog, who had five gold medals — breaking four meet records in the process.
After this weekend's tune up, Manitoba competes in the Canada West Swim Championships on Nov. 23-25 in Calgary.
Notes from the Range
