WINNIPEG - A Brooks Maxwell short-handed goal in the opening minute of the third period proved to be the difference on Sunday afternoon at Wayne Fleming Arena as the Lethbridge Pronghorns topped Manitoba 5-4 to earn a weekend split.

"That's a tough way to lose a game giving up a short-handed breakaway goal," Bisons head coach Mike Sirant said postgame. "We were probably trying to be a bit too fine with our passing and we've got to shoot the puck more."

The opening 20 minutes were high-octane, with both teams finding the back of the net twice. 

It didn't take the Pronghorns long to open the scoring, as forward Torrin White rushed past the Bisons defence on a broken play, going high backhand near the crease at just 1:16.

Manitoba responded just over minute later. Ryan Carlson used his speed and strong hands to rush down the half wall, beating three defenders as well as Pronghorns goalie Taz Burman five hole to level the score. 

The hosts then took the lead for the first time with 10:20 to play, as forward Colton Veloso got an excellent lead pass off the boards from Geordie Keane and turned on the jets at the blue line, going forehand to backhand on a partial breakaway. 

Lethbridge pressed for an answer and had plenty of chances off of two separate power plays. 

Bisons goalie Tyler Brown was excellent on the first penalty kill, making a number of key stops from in tight on Owen Guenter and Mike Clarke. The visitors were able to solve the Manitoba netminder as the second man advantage ended however, as Guenter tapped in a loose puck to level the score with 2:45 to play. 

Special teams were the story of the second period, as both teams scored twice on the power play. 

Lethbridge made the score 3-2 six minutes into play courtesy of an excellent shot from Mike Clarke, who went top shelf. The Bisons responded on a five-on-three two minutes later though, as Henry fed alternate captain Jonah Wasylak, who went top corner himself to tie the contest. 

Manitoba got another two-man advantage around the midway mark of the middle frame and found the back of the net as the second penalty neared its end. Henry undressed a Pronghorns player near the left face-off circle and finished things off forehand-backhand with 8:43 to go. 

The Pronghorns had an answer however, as forward Landon Gross deflected a shot from the blue and in on a Bisons double minor with two minutes left to level the score entering the third period. 

Maxwell recorded the game-winner on his second short-handed breakaway of the game after being stopped earlier on by Brown.

Next up for Manitoba is a road tilt against Mount Royal while Lethbridge will host Regina.