WINNIPEG – Aimee Patrick's first career U SPORTS hat-trick helped Manitoba secure a home playoff series next weekend, as the Bisons dominated the Saskatchewan Huskies 5-2.
 
Just three points separated the Herd and the Regina Cougars heading into the final two games, and a Manitoba win guaranteed home-ice. They will face the Trinity Western Spartans in a three-game series beginning next Friday.
 
"Going into the weekend, it was trying to focus on the process, and not worry too much about the outcome and the pressure that we had on ourselves to clinch that home-ice," said Interim Head Coach Jordy Zacharias.
 
"I was proud of the group for doing the simple things that we had talked about."
 
The first period was all Manitoba.
 
A shot from Bisons' Rachel Gottfried at the blue line deflected off a Saskatchewan defender to Hannah Bailey to open the scoring.
 
Soon after, a tenacious play by Manitoba kept the puck in the Saskatchewan zone, allowing Sadie Keller to get a shot on net, and Patrick was quick to pounce on the rebound.
 
Relentless was the name of Manitoba's game throughout the first, as the team limited the Huskies to just five shots on net to Manitoba's eleven within the period.
 
Patrick got her second goal of the night on the power play. Forward Dana Goertzen found teammate Julia Bird open at the slot, and she fired it at the net, with Patrick again putting the rebound away.
 
The Bisons continued to run riot in the first, slotting a fourth goal with mere seconds left on the clock.
 
A deflected shot bounced favourably for Manitoba, and the puck ended up on Nora Collins' stick. Her speed left no chance for the Saskatchewan defenders to catch up, and she calmly put the puck away top right to finish the period on a high.
 
Collins' goal was her 11th of the season, tying her for the team lead with Patrick. It's the first time since 2018-19 (the Herd's last trip to nationals) that two Bisons have scored more than ten goals in a season (Zacharias scored 12 times, Lauryn Keen scored 13). ]
 
The duo are now the 12 and 13^th players in school history to score at least 11 goals in a conference season.
 
The Huskies found a lifeline through Jessica Patterson in the second, who scored her first career U SPORTS goal.
 
A good forecheck by Saskatchewan created a 2-on-1 situation for the Huskies, which left Patterson open to claim Shippam's rebound.
 
However, Manitoba immediately put a stop to the Huskies' hopes, as they scored their fifth of the night a minute later.
 
Kylie Lesuk found space to play the puck in front of the crease, and Patrick, for her third of the night, put her body on the line and forced the puck past the Saskatchewan goaltender.
 
Not only was this Patrick's first career U SPORTS hat-trick, but she continues to lead Manitoba in points this season. Her three goals pushed her tally up to 20, ranking her eighth in points in Canada West. It's also the most points scored by a Bison in seven years.
 
"For her to find that role within herself, being hard-nosed in front of the net is something she has really bought into this year," said Zacharias.
 
"It's fun to see her get rewarded for the work she's put in."
 
The Bisons sustained their intensity in the third. Goerzen's hard-earned breakaway was the highlight for the Bisons, but Clara Juka made a great toe-save to deny the forward.
 
Saskatchewan put another on the scoreboard through a power play goal. Sara Kendall fired the puck from the blue line through bodies in front of the Manitoba net, and Bronwyn Boucher picked up the Huskies' second of the night.
 
Other than Saskatchewan's one goal, the Bisons allowed no other shots on net in the third.
 
The two sides meet again tomorrow at 4 pm for seniors night.