Box Score A stout defensive performance led the Saskatchewan Huskies to a 3-1 victory over the Manitoba Bisons in women's hockey on Friday night at Wayne Fleming Arena.

"Honestly that was one of our best games all year," said Bisons head coach Jordy Zacharias after the loss. "This weekend is more about getting prepped for the playoffs next weekend and not necessarily about results, but how we can play a full competitive 60 minutes."

The Huskies fell 1-0 early into the second but were able to regroup in the third, scoring three straight including an empty net goal with one second left. 

However, the Bisons have their sights set on more important tasks in tomorrow's rematch.

"With tomorrow being Senior Night that's the big emphasis is doing it for the girls who have put in five or six years, so we'd like to send them off from their last home game on a high," Zacharias added. "We're not going to focus on changing too much from today because it worked pretty good."

The Bisons had a few solid chances on the power play in the opening period but Huskies goaltender Camryn Drever made some magnificent saves to shut the door. 

Jessica Haner had a chance from point blank to open the scoring but Drever made another great stop in front of goal.

Manitoba were able to finally break the deadlock when Kate Gregoire chipped in a pass from Sarah Dennehy five minutes into the second.

Saskatchewan weren't going down without a fight. The resilient Huskies were able to find the equalizer halfway through the third. Sophie Lalor slotted home a wrist shot from close range giving Emily Shippham no chance to stop the puck.

Just when the game was hanging in the balance, Saskatchewan found a breakthrough. Sara Kendall roofed a shot into the top corner on the power play to give the Huskies their first lead of the game, one they wouldn't relinquish. 

The Huskies added an empty netter at the horn for good measure.

The rematch goes tomorrow at 3pm CT at Wayne Fleming Arena.