WINNIPEG — For the first time in their history, the Bisons women's hockey team welcomed the Trinity Western Spartans to Wayne Fleming Arena on Friday.

The Bisons entered the game tied with UBC for third in the Canada West conference with 18 points. The Spartans, who joined the Canada West women's hockey league this season, sat at the bottom of the standings with four points.

Heading into the second period Trinity Western was still in striking distance despite being down 2-0 to Manitoba. However, a four-goal middle frame for the Bisons put the game out of reach and the hosts went on to win by a final score of 7-0.

"After the first period we knew we needed to come out hard," said first-year Bison defender Hanna Bailey. "We came out fast in the second and the goals just started to come."

Bailey was in the lineup for the first time this season and scored her first career goal for the Bisons in the second period.

"It was a great feeling," added Bailey. "All my teammates were pretty supportive of my first game. It's been two years dealing with injuries, so it was nice to get that first one. Hopefully it is the start of a few more goals for me."

The Spartans see their record drop to 2-13-0-0 but remain focused on longer development.

"I've seen such a tremendous change in our first-years," said Spartans captain Neisha Germann. "It's been great to see their confidence grow and to continue working so hard."

Trinity Western earned the game's first power play less than two minutes into the game. The visitors did everything but score during their advantage that saw a scramble in front of the Bisons net that lasted almost 15 seconds.

After starting the game on the back foot, Manitoba's Katie Chatyrbok found herself in alone and beat Spartans goaltender Mabel Maltais with a shot low on the blocker side for the game's first tally.

The teams continued to trade chances for the rest of the first period, but the hosts extended their lead to 2-0 with less than a minute left. Herd captain Lauren Warkentin hit Halle Edwards with a stretch pass to spring another breakaway; Edwards faked a shot and then went to her backhand to beat Maltais.

The floodgates opened for Manitoba in the second period, scoring four power play goals in the middle frame to extend their lead to 6-0. Kate Gregoire and Ashley Keller recorded a goal before Bailey added her first career goal.  Edwards scored her second of the game on another breakaway, using the same move she did on her first.

Trechelle Bunn scored her second of the season in the third period to add a seventh and final goal to Manitoba's total.

The two teams meet again tomorrow for the final game of the weekend series. Puck drop for the matinee matchup is at 2 p.m.