WINNIPEG – The University of Manitoba Bisons men's hockey team got off to the start they wanted as they began the second half of their Canada West campaign on home ice against the visiting Mount Royal Cougars on Friday night.

Leading the Cougars 3-2 in the latter half of the third period, Manitoba's goaltender Tyler Brown came up with a huge glove save minutes before Colton Veloso scored the Bisons' fourth goal of the night. Those two plays turned out to be key as the Herd went on to win by a final score of 5-2.

Brown steered away 25 of the 27 shots he faced on the night in what was his sixth start of the season.

"Tyler gave us some very solid goaltending tonight," said Manitoba head coach Mike Sirant. "He made the key saves when he needed, controlled the puck well and his rebound control was excellent."

With the loss, Mount Royal's record drops to 10-5-2 but still remain five points ahead of the Bisons in the Canada West standings.

The Cougars opened the scoring just moments after a late first period power play expired.  With 6:03 on the clock, Mount Royal assistant captain Ryley Lindgren fired his shot from the faceoff circle over the glove of Brown to give his visiting squad the 1-0 lead. Minutes later, the Cougars gave the Bisons a chance to tie it with a power play but the home side couldn't find the back of the net before the period and penalty expired.

Manitoba tied the game 1-1 at the 6:25 mark of the second frame after Brady Pouteau's point shot hit the skate of Cougars' captain Tyson Helgesen and slid past goalie Wyatt Hoflin. A few minutes later Geordie Keane scored his fourth goal of the season before Pouteau scored his second of the night to give the Herd a 3-1 lead.

However, with just over a minute to play in the period, Mount Royal pulled back to within one after shot from Bradley Kennedy took a weird bounce and ended up in the back of the Bisons net.

With the Bisons up 3-2 past the midway mark of the third, the stellar glove save from Brown combined with Veloso's late goal was enough for Manitoba to earn the victory.

The two teams will be in action again tomorrow at the Wayne Fleming Arena starting at 2 p.m. local time.