Last weekend was great for the Bisons, as four teams finished sweeps of their opponents to move up the standings.
That upwards trend will hopefully keep going this Friday and Saturday, as basketball returns to friendly confines for the first time since November and women's hockey looks to keep a win streak going against Regina.
That, and what else to look forward to, in our weekend preview.
Basketball vs. Trinity Western – January 18 (6/8 PM), January 19 (5/7 PM)
WATCH: CanadaWest.TV
UPDATES: follow @BisonWBB and @BisonMBB
After a bye, a holiday break, and two weekends on the road, it's finally time for Bison basketball to return to Investors Group Athletic Centre, as the men's and women's teams invite Trinity Western in.
The
Bison men (5-9) were bolstered by a sweep of UNBC last weekend. Despite sitting in 13
th, they've had a tough schedule — backed up by their 11
th best RPI of .502. They have a chance to move up further against the Spartans, who have yet to win a game this season.
Manitoba's strong defence should come into play, as the Herd are second in the conference in blocks per game (4.0), sixth in opponents' field goal percentage (40.1%) and three-point percentage (30.6%). They'll also look to forward
James Wagner for continued production, as he's scored in double-digits in five straight — including a 27-point outburst on Jan. 11 at UNBC.
The
Bison women (6-8), meanwhile, are in tough against a quality Spartan women's team (8-6) who've lost three straight. Manitoba snapped a seven-game losing streak of their own last weekend, splitting their series at UNBC.
The Herd will be on the lookout for Spartans shooters, who boast Canada West's best three-point percentage at 38.8%. Manitoba will counter with an active defence that sits third in steals per game (10.1) and fourth in blocks (3.2), led by fifth-year
Claire Harvey — who's averaging a balanced 9.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game.
Bison basketball tickets are $10 and available at the door, with U of M students and fans 17-and-under in free.
#3 Women's Hockey vs. Regina – January 18 (7 PM), January 19 (4 PM)
WATCH: CanadaWest.tv
LISTEN: UMFM.com
UPDATES: follow @umbisonsWHKY on Twitter
Despite an 0-4 record against the top-seeded Pandas this season, No. 3 ranked Bison women's hockey (12-4-2-2) are just two points back in the race for first. The drama continues this weekend, as the Herd host the Regina Cougars (7-8-2-3) at Wayne Fleming Arena.
Manitoba swept Mount Royal last weekend, a series where fifth-year forward
Alanna Sharman made her mark after an injury kept her out for the first half. Sharman had two goals in Saturday's 4-1 win over the (other) Cougars, as she has three points already in her first four games.
Regina is led by Killarney, Manitoba native Jaycee Magwood, who has six goals and nine assists on the campaign. Two of those markers have come on the power play, where Regina is second-best in Canada West at 15.5%.
The only team better? Yes, it's still Manitoba — head and shoulders above the field at 21.0%. Special teams will likely be decisive as these provincial rivals meet on the ice.
Bison hockey tickets are $10 and available at the door, with U of M students and fans 17-and-under in free.
Volleyball at Saskatchewan – January 18 (7/9 PM), January 19 (6/8 PM)
WATCH: CanadaWest.tv
UPDATES: follow @BisonWVB and @BisonMVB on Twitter
After two weeks at home, Bison men's and women's volleyball are on the road to Saskatoon, as both teams look to improve their playoff position.
For the
Bison women (8-8), a three-game win streak has them back at .500 and looking for more against the Huskies (6-10). Manitoba's recent modus operandi has been a varied attack based on solid back line defence. Fifth-year libero
Cassie Bujan continues to lead Canada West in digs per set (4.44), recently moving into the top five all-time in total conference digs (1,159).
The
Bison men (6-8), meanwhile, sit precariously in the eighth and final playoff spot heading into this weekend. Against the Huskies (7-7), they'll be looking at an offence led by second-year Dylan Mortensen, who is tenth in the conference with 3.33 kills per set. On the other side, Manitoba continues to serve it to fourth-year
Kevin Negus with regularity, as he has 3.65 kills per set on a team-high 437 total attacks.
Men's Hockey at Regina – January 18 (8 PM), January 19 (4 PM)
WATCH: CanadaWest.tv
UPDATES: follow @umbisonsMHKY on Twitter
If Bison men's hockey (3-15-2) are going to get into the post-season, the next two weeks are of critical importance. This week, they take on last-place Regina (3-16-1) and next week, they host the team in front of them — holding the last playoff spot — in Lethbridge (7-11-2).
Manitoba and Regina have each struggled this season, but they have been really solid on the man advantage, marking third (16.9%) and fourth (15.0%) in Canada West, respectively. Leading the Bisons' offensive production on the power play has been forward
Zach Franko, who has five of his eight goals marked "PPG". Defenceman
Adam Henry has come on after a slow start to his season too, with multi-point games in three of the Bisons' last five games.
In a battle of veteran goalies who have otherwise been under siege, Manitoba's Bryon Spriggs has the edge with a 4.17 goals against average compared to 4.51 for Regina's Dawson MacAuley.
Notes from the Range
