WINNIPEG – The Manitoba Bisons were the aggressors from the jump on Saturday afternoon against Trinity Western, controlling play for vast portions of the game in a 4-1 win at Wayne Fleming Arena.
 
The win was Manitoba's seventh of the season and third in their first four games of the second half of the season. They have scored four goals in each of their last four games, and currently sit in a playoff position with 19 points (they have the tie-breaker with Saskatchewan).
 
"From yesterday to today, puck management was a key," said Bisons head coach Jordan Colliton.
 
"We were able to make their D turn, get in behind them, get on the forecheck and use our speed to make contact. On the other side of it too, we call it re-loading to get it on the defensive side, and you're not waiting for things to happen. You're the one who's making it happen. It's nice to see that transition from the first half to now."
 
Aimee Patrick opened the scoring in the first period, and Manitoba never trailed, with six different players recording a point.
 
The Bisons were buzzing early, forcing numerous turnovers with an assertive forecheck while out-shooting TWU 8-1 in the opening eight minutes. They were rewarded with just over a minute to go in the first period, opening the scoring courtesy of Patrick.
 
The veteran forward established control in the offensive zone, delivering a brilliant no-look drop pass to Sara Harbus. The winger's shot on net was stopped, but the rebound went right to Patrick, who put it home for her team-leading eighth goal, and 15^th point of the season. Patrick now has 58 career regular season points as a Bison, which is tied for 11th in program history.   
 
Two highlight-reel goals in the final four minutes headlined the second period, one for each team.
 
Manitoba made it 2-0 at 16:23, courtesy of captain Dana Goertzen. The veteran forward gained possession thanks to hard work near the half wall from Patrick. Goertzen received the puck near the right faceoff dot, putting home an incredible hand-hander top shelf while being tripped for her fifth goal of the season.
 
The Spartans responded less than a minute later, with some magic of their own. Chloe Reid dished a hand-hand no-look pass to Michela Naccarato, who one-timed the puck home, also while being tripped up.
 
Another strong forecheck resulted in a goal for Manitoba midway through period three.
 
Rookie Sophia Heidinger stole the puck near the TWU blue line, eventually earning it back just under the faceoff dot. Her initial shot was stopped, but not the rebound, as she potted it home for her first career U SPORTS goal.
 
"[Heidinger] is a really gritty player who wins 50-50 battles," said Colliton.
 
"She's been really patient in her development and she's grown a ton since the start of the year. She didn't get in many games in the first half, and she worked to get an opportunity. Her consistency last weekend and this weekend, that's why she got rewarded. She's doing the right things."
 
Just over two minutes later, Norah Collins made it 4-1. Alyssa Rasmuson started the play, earning possession at the Manitoba blue line to create a two-on-one. She fed the puck all the way across the ice to Collins, who broke in on a partial breakaway, finding the back of the net on a wrist shot for her fifth goal of the season to conclude the scoring.
 
Manitoba is back at home this Friday, facing MacEwan.