WINNIPEG – The Manitoba Bisons men's hockey team played hosts to the Mount Royal Cougars on November 19 at the Wayne Fleming Arena in Winnipeg.
Cougars forward and Canada West leading goal scorer Nolan Yaremko recorded two goals in the game, helping lead his Mount Royal squad to a 4-1 victory over Manitoba.
"We have great depth and great players on this team," commented Yaremko. "I've been pretty fortunate with some bounces, but I also am lucky to play with all these guys."
Bisons' goaltender Liam Hughes played a key role in keeping his squad in it for the majority of the game. Despite giving up four goals, Hughes made 31 saves, several of which were highlight reel worthy.
"Liam was very good for us today," said Bisons head coach Mike Sirant. "He is a really competitive player who battles. You saw that out there tonight, he doesn't quit on pucks and made a lot of big saves."
The visitors struck first with a power play goal at the 5:54 mark of the opening period. Ryley Lindgren came down from the point to pick up a loose puck before firing a pass to an open Riley Sawchuk who beat Bisons' goalie Liam Hughes for his seventh of the season. The hosts had an opportunity to tie the game before hitting the locker room with a late power play, but the Cougars penalty kill was up to the task.
With the Cougars on the power play, the Bisons' Hughes came up with a highlight reel stop midway through the second period. Sawchuk had a glorious opportunity to pot his second of the game, but a diving Hughes was able to make the save, keeping the score at 1-0 in favour of the Cougars.
Just a few minutes later, Yaremko scored his 11th of the year to extend his team's lead to 2-0. Hughes once again was forced to come up with a key save when he stopped Sawchuk who was on a short-handed breakaway to keep the Herd's deficit at two. However, the Cougars kept the pressure on and Bradley Kennedy scored his third of the season with 37 seconds left in the second period, giving his team a 3-0 lead heading into the final frame.
Manitoba finally got on the board in the third period with a goal from Dylan Thiessen. The forward managed to jam home a loose puck to pull the Bisons to back within two. The two teams exchanged power play opportunities throughout the remainder of the third period before Yaremko tallied his second of the night with 7:05 left in the game. Mount Royal went on to close out the game to earn the 4-1 victory.
Both teams will be back at Wayne Fleming Arena tomorrow at 3 p.m. to conclude the two-game weekend series.
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