Box Score Bisons forward Hayden Ostir scored two goals in the third that seemingly ended the game Saturday afternoon at Wayne Fleming Arena, but a persistent Regina Cougars team found the back of the net twice in the final minute, winning 3-2 in a shootout on Saturday afternoon at Wayne Fleming Arena. 
 
This was the first time either side had been in a shootout since January 24, 2020, which was also at Manitoba.  The win gives the Cougars 12 points on the season, however the Bisons still won the season series, as the single point gives them five, compared to four for Regina over four contests. 
 
Heading into next week, the Bisons maintain their hold on the sixth and final playoff spot, with 15 points. They're three ahead of both MacEwan and Regina. Those two play next weekend in a massive series, while the Bisons will play Mount Royal. 
 
The contest was back-and-forth throughout, as the hosts looked for redemption after an 8-0 loss the night prior.  The physicality began right from the puck drop with both teams recording  big hits on both ends.
 
The Bisons were able to generate a lot more zone time than last night's matchup but struggled to get pucks to the net. The Cougars outshot them 11-6 after 20.
 
The best chance of the period came off a great pass to Cougars forward Jake Fletcher who shot it just wide.
 
The Bisons' best chance of the second period came on the powerplay when Ostir  -- who was shifted to the second line for the game with Dylan Thiessen and captain Geordie Keane  -- created a chance from behind the net, but was denied by Cougars netminder Adam Evanoff.
 
As their penalty kill ended, the Cougars had a quick two on one chance, however Bisons defenceman Parker Malchuk sacrificed the body to keep it scoreless. Shortly after, the puck ended up on Cougars forward Eric Houk's stick who sped into the crease but couldn't finish.
 
The third period brought the action with two goals apiece. 
 
On a pass from Thiessen to Ostir, the latter batted it out of the air and into the net to give the Bisons the first goal of the game. The momentum of that goal had the Bisons speeding all over the ice.
 
With just under a minute and a half left, Manitoba generated a two on one. Forward Brett Davis waited for the right moment to find Ostir who cashed in on the powerplay to make it 2-0.
 
"Obviously yesterday wasn't one of our best games," said Ostir. "To flip some things up to get us going, I think it worked. I think we had a lot better game today, so I think it was a good call [to juggle the lines]. The rest of the way it's playoffs so we came into the weekend with that attitude."
 
The Cougars refused to lay down and die, scoring two goals in the final minute, the first coming off a tip-in from Eric Houk with plenty of traffic in front. With 14 seconds left, and Evanoff pulled for the extra man, Fletcher put the puck in with Hawryluk unaware that it was loose behind him.
 
A crazy first overtime, four-on-four, saw Ostir seemingly score a hat trick. Celebrations broke out on the ice and some Bisons players even left for the dressing room, only for the refs to wave it off due to goalie interference.
 
In the second overtime, three-on-three, the Bisons had some good chances, but Evanoff remained rock solid for his team. Cougars forward Eric Pearce attempted a wraparound, but Hawryluk made the save.
 
After going scoreless in two extra sessions, the game went to a shootout. Davis went far post for a tally, but forwards Jonny Hooker and Ostir couldn't get one past Evanoff.
 
Cougars defenceman Tyler Heidt couldn't solve Hawryluk, but forwards Jackson Doucet and Houk scored to secure the extra point for the visitors.