CHARLOTTETOWN – After losing in a heartbreaker in the quarterfinals, the Manitoba Bisons talked all weekend about leaving P.E.I. on a winning note. They achieved that on Sunday, as the No. 6 seeded Bisons beat the No. 8 seeded Toronto Varsity Blues in the consolation final of the 2019 U SPORTS Women's Hockey Championship, 2-0.
Manitoba got a 20-save shutout from second-year goalie Lauren Taraschuk, but the scoring column was solely occupied by Bison fifth-years — all of them playing in their last games in brown and gold.
Karissa Kirkup led the way with the game-winning goal and an assist on Lauryn Keen's shorthanded marker in the third. Keen returned the favour by assisting on Kirkup's goal, which was also set up by a beautiful move from Alanna Sharman.
"They're a dynasty. That's a special group," said Fisher on the eight graduating Bisons — which also include Courtlyn Oswald, Natasha Kostenko, Erica Rieder, Alexandra Anderson, and Erin Kucheravy.
"They've accomplished so much in this program. We wanted to win the big one this year, obviously we think we had enough, but just didn't get it done there on Thursday afternoon. It is what it is, but I'm super happy for those fifth-years."
Similar to the consolation semifinal against UPEI, the Bisons controlled play from the early going against Toronto. Manitoba went on their first power play just four minutes in, with Keen threading a pass across to Lauren Warkentin — but Varsity Blues defenceman Christine Chao made a nice block in front to stop the goal.
Later in the period, Toronto goalie Erica Fryer made a couple stops of her own, stymying Kostenko as she tried to jam the puck in on a rush at 8:50, then making a great glove save on Jordyn Zacharias three minutes later.
Toronto's first good opportunity didn't come until their first power play in the last minute of the first. Chao made a great move to get a pass to Taraschuk's doorstep, but the shot was fanned on, and the puck skipped free.
"I thought we were really good through the first two periods especially," said Fisher. "We took it to them."
The Bisons would score first late in the second period, as the Bisons started to mix their top two forward lines — playing Sharman alongside Keen and Kirkup. Sharman made a nice move into the zone, dragging past two defenders, before tossing a pass across to Kirkup — who made no mistake. The assist adds to three goals in three games for Sharman, who led the Bisons with four points at nationals.
"Sharman was awesome, she had a great tournament," said Fisher. "For her to miss the first half with the injury that she had, then come back and be as productive as she was through the second half, playoffs and this tournament — she's a heck of a player. I know she's one of the all-time Bison bests.
Toronto wouldn't go down without a fight. In the third, the Bisons battled through two intense penalty kills, when the Varsity Blues controlled the puck and pinned them back. Midway through the third, Kiyono Cox circled the net twice before a gorgeous pass into the slot. Unfortunately for Toronto, they fanned on the shot.
The Bisons extended their lead late in the period. Once again on the penalty kill, Toronto had a blue line turnover which resulted in a rush for Kirkup. Her initial shot bounced off Fryer's stick, leaving a juicy rebound for Keen to finish off.
"It feels pretty incredible," said Kirkup on earning two points in the win. "Number one thing is I'm so happy my parents are here and getting to watch the last game of my career. Last year, going through different injuries and even this weekend, I'm very happy to have a second chance and to take advantage of that."
The Varsity Blues would put one last effort forth, as Warkentin took a double minor with 3:30 left. Late pressure resulted in a Toronto goal that was waved off and the Bisons' penalty kill finished the win.
"I know coming into this tournament, I knew no matter the result that I was going to be very proud of how our team played and how everyone rallied together," said Kirkup. "I'm not disappointed in that at all."
"I think we really finished it off with Bison hockey."
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