Box Score WINNIPEG -- Two power play goals, including the game-winner helped the Manitoba Bisons to a 2-1 win over the Regina Cougars on Friday night at The Rink Training Centre. The win was Manitoba's first of the year while the Cougars fell to 1-2.
Manitoba blocked a copious amount of shots in the contest, including a handful from Katie Chatyrbok, while Kimberley Davidson made 30 saves in the win.
"I think there were quite a few blocked shots," said Bisons head coach Jon Rempel. "Something we've been talking about, trying to get better at—particularly upfront, from up top—I think our players are getting more courage to do it and understanding how to do it and when to do it so that was significant today."
The box was busy in the first period, as Manitoba took two penalties in the first five minutes of play, and four overall, while the two sides combined for six minor penalties in the game's opening 20 minutes.
The Herd's penalty killing units were rock solid, blocking numerous shots, including two on back-to-back shifts from Chatrybok as the game remained scoreless entering the second.
Overall, Manitoba blocked over a half dozen shots, while Regina held their opponent to five shots in a defensive display.
Regina's best chance to score came ten minutes in, as Jaydn Kushniruk was sprung on a partial breakaway, however veteran blue-liner Chloe Snaith used her speed to get back and dispossessed the puck.
The Herd had a few solid looks, with a great chance coming six minutes left in the period, as Camille Enns got an open look on a one-on-one opportunity near the slot, but her low wrist shot was stopped.
Puck battles, pressure and key saves were the story of the second frame, as both sides got multiple quality looks while scoring two goals.
Regina opened the scoring in the first minute, as a bouncing puck got past the Bisons' defence, where Paige Hubbard sped up to it and scored on a breakaway, going high glove side.
The Bisons answered shortly after, thanks to a quick penalty from Regina.
Defenceman Rachel Gottfried scored the first U SPORTS goal of her career, blasting a one-timer near the slot after retrieving a puck that was turned over in the Cougars' end. She walked in with plenty of space and made no mistake.
Manitoba took momentum after their goal, keeping play in the Cougars' end for the next three minutes, but couldn't break the tie.
Both netminders were a major reason for the deadlock, as Davidson for the hosts and Natalie Williamson for the visitors made a bevy of impressive saves to keep the game level.
Williamson made two stops on a two-on-one with five minutes to go, as Camryn Gillis was stymied on the doorstep, as was Kate Gregoire on a backhand shot on the rebound.
Davidson was just as impressive, including on an attempt by Kushniruk with eight minutes to go, as she got her body on a close shot from inside the paint.
Both teams earned power play opportunities early in the third, however it was the Bisons who capitalized with the extra attacker.
Kylie Lesuk got control of the puck near the half wall and snuck a puck past Williamson five-hole from an impressive angle for the game-winner.
"Special teams won us the game. Our discipline has not been good. Right through the preseason last weekend, not good. I think today wasn't so much a discipline issue, I think it was just some things we were probably over excited about, like to play at home, and it got the best of us early," said Rempel. "I thought we settled down a bit though which is good. Powerplay got us the game winner so stuff we've been working on is showing up in games and that's a good sign for us."
Regina peppered Davidson with shots in the final five minutes, including a partial breakaway from Kushniruk, however the Bisons goalie was up to the task.
The two sides will be back at it tomorrow afternoon at 3 pm.
