Box Score WINNIPEG – For the second time in the last three games, Bisons goalie Emily Shippam was perfect in net. On Saturday, she stopped all 27 shots she faced, and over the last three games she's saved 72 shots as the Manitoba Bisons beat Trinity Western 1-0 at the 'Flem.
 
The win gives Manitoba the season series over TWU after a 2-1 win yesterday, and they are now five points clear of Regina (as of press time) and six ahead of the Spartans for the sixth and final playoff spot in Canada West. It's also the Herd's third victory in a row.
 
The lone goal came from Norah Collins early in the first period, her first tally of the year.
 
"As we get closer to playoff hockey, I know that we need the points really bad," said Shippam of her performance as of late.
 
"Getting into a flow with the team, everyone's contributing and blocking shots, and doing extra. It makes you want to win all that much more."
 
Manitoba came out firing in the first, out-shooting the Spartans 13-4 while scoring the period's only goal.
 
An extended battle for the puck in the TWU zone was won by Manitoba, with the biscuit eventually landing on Aimee Patrick's stick near the half wall. She fed a pass through traffic right onto the tape of a wide open Collins' stick, who one-timed it home just outside the Trinity crease.
 
Collins' goal marks the 16th different Manitoba skater to score on the season.
 
The Spartans also surrendered two penalties in the opening 20, but their special teams remained perfect on the weekend, including two blocked shots by Jordan Matthews on Manitoba's second power play.
 
In net, Shippam stopped all four TWU shots, making it 49 out of her last 50 entering the middle frame.
 
The Spartans best opportunity came with four minutes left, as Chloe Reid one-timed a shot in transition, and also got her stick on the rebound that was in the air and batted down, but Shippam made the blocker save.
 
Trinity peppered Shippam with ten shots in the middle frame, and had plenty of solid looks, but were left off the board entering the third.
 
A two-on-one for the visitors two minutes in went just wide, while numerous shots in the final two minutes off of screens were swallowed up by Manitoba's goalie.
 
Manitoba's best chance came courtesy of Sarah Dennehy, who stole the puck near the boards in the neutral zone with seven minutes to go.
 
She dished the puck to Kate Gregoire, playing in her 100th career game as a Bison, however her shot from in close was stopped by the blocker of Kate Fawcett, who made 24 saves entering the third.
 
The visitors applied heavy pressure in the third, trying to find the equalizer. They rolled their top six often, and had multiple chances from in close, but couldn't beat Shippam.
 
Their best chance came two minutes into the period, as Olivia Leier appeared to have an open net from just outside the crease on a rebound, but Shippam shifted quickly from her right to left to make the pad save.
 
The Spartans pulled their goalie late, with Chloe Reid getting an excellent chance on a wraparound following a loose puck, but Shippam got her leg over in time to ensure the shutout remained intact.
 
Next up for Manitoba is a road series against MacEwan, while TWU will play Regina at home.