For the final time in 2023, the men's hockey team and basketball programs are at home prior to the winter break. Friday's men's hockey game is also Movember night in support of men's health. Click here to donate to the team's page. 


MEN'S HOCKEY VS ALBERTA, GAMES AT 7 PM FRIDAY AND 2 PM SATURDAY (CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS)
On the ice, Manitoba is looking to continue building momentum in a two-game set against 9-4-1-1 Alberta after earning their first win two weeks ago.

Jonny Hooker is third in the conference in goals, with nine and eighth in points, with 14. Defenceman Chase Hartje leads the team with 11 assists and is second on the team in points, with 13.

The pair have been particularly lethal on the power play with Hooker, and Manitoba is third in the conference, operating at 22.6 percent with the extra skater. 

Additionally, Josh Paulhus scored his third goal of the year last weekend against Calgary, the second most on the team. In total, 11 different players have scored at least a goal. 

BASKETBALL VERSUS LETHBRIDGE, WOMEN AT 6 PM FRIDAY, 5 PM SATURDAY, MEN AT 8 PM FRIDAY, 7 PM SATURDAY (CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS)

On the court, the women's basketball team is looking to overtake Lethbridge in the standings. Manitoba is currently 2-4 while Lethbridge is 3-3. Both teams are in the top five in total rebounds, making the battle on the glass a particular focus. The two teams are also fifth and sixth in points per game, at 70 for Lethbridge, and 68.6 for Manitoba. 

Lethbridge has been led by Tobore Okome, who's seventh in field goals, with 31. Her 53 total rebounds are also third. 

The Bisons counter with a balanced attack, led by veteran seniors Emily Johnson and Lauren Barlett.

The former has recorded double figures in four games this year, and is second in program history in field goal percentage, at 49.7. Bartlett is the program leader in assists per game and minutes per game. She is presently seventh in the conference, with 19 assists. 

Second-year Ayva Khan also scored in double figures for the first time last Friday against Mount Royal, and followed up the following night with a career-high 14 points, while first-year Bisons Emily Mandamin, Trayah Paquette and Anna Miko have all shot at least 33 percent from the field. 

On the men's side, the No. 10 nationally-ranked Bisons aim to propel up the standings, presently sitting at 4-2. The Herd are fourth in steals, at eight per game, while five different Bisons have recorded career highs in points this season. 

The most recent player to accomplish this feat was Jonam Kazadi, who went ten-for-ten from the field last Saturday against Mount Royal in a weekend sweep. 

Daren Watts -- who's started all six games -- is also amongst that group, averaging 13 points per game, including double figures in four different contests. Point guard Mason Kraus is also fifth in the conference, with 12 steals.