Just five points behind Trinity Western for a playoff spot, Manitoba (8-10) welcomes Mount Royal (14-5-1) for a huge two-game set at Wayne Fleming Arena this weekend. Game times are 7 pm Friday and 2 pm Saturday. Click here to get tickets and here to watch online. 

The Cougars, who are tied for second in the conference, swept Manitoba on the road in late October, winning 3-2 on the Friday and 4-0 on the Saturday. Six different players scored in the two victories, including forward Courtney Kollman, one of three Cougars currently in the top four in scoring, with 18 points. The other two are Manitoba native Tatum Amy and Aliya Jomha, who have 25 and 20, good for first and second in Canada West. 

A strong start will be critical for both sides. The two teams are a combined 12-1 when leading after the first period, which includes MRU's sweep from earlier this year, where they scored three goals in the first 20 over two contests. 

Individually for the Bisons, forward Aimee Patrick is coming off a career-high four-point night against Regina last Saturday in a 5-1 win. That total doubled her mark on the year to eight points, and included a power play goal, one of two during the game for the Herd. That improved Manitoba's efficiency to 16.5 percent, which is tied with Mount Royal for fourth in Canada West. 

Vanessa Klimpke's two goals last Saturday against Regina also marked the 18th different Bison who's scored a goal this season. Kate Gregoire leads the team in that regard, as her seven goals are tied for fifth in Canada West. She had five shots over two games against Regina, and had a point in five straight games prior to the winter break.