WINNIPEG – The Manitoba Bisons scored twice in the first, but it was the MacEwan Griffins who came out on top, 3-2 on Friday night at Wayne Fleming Arena. The win was their fifth of the season. Manitoba remains at 19 points in Canada West's East Division, but they do have the tie breaker over Saskatchewan for the third and final playoff spot in their side of the bracket.
Manitoba out-shot GMU 40-9, controlling zone play for the vast majority of the evening. But a solid showing in net from Taya Currie and goals at opportune times helped the visitors emerge victorious.
The Herd put up double figures in shots on net in each period, including the first, where they tallied both of their goals in impressive fashion.
Kelsey Huibers got Manitoba on the board 6:53 into the game, putting home an accurate wrist shot that popped the water bottle top corner on a beautiful shot. Less than four minutes later, Manitoba made it 2-0 on a highlight-reel finish from
Alyssa Rasmuson.
Some fantastic passing from
Julia Bird and
Norah Collins led to the Rasmuson tally. She got behind the GMU defence, putting away a back-hand deflection from the slot that went crossbar thanks to the feed from Collins. It was Rasmuson's first goal as a Bison, after scoring the game-winning shootout goal on two different occasions this year.
MacEwan recorded just six combined shots in the second and third periods, but they made the most of their opportunities in a come-from-behind showing.
Syndey Jack made it 2-1 with the lone goal of the second. She raced past multiple Bisons, going five-goal on her backhand to narrow the Manitoba lead.
Just under six minutes into the third, Kori Paterson tied the game, putting home a back-door finish on a pass from Rian Santos. The end boards were GMU's friend, as the puck bounced right to Santos, who found her teammate across the crease.
MacEwan scored the game-winner with less than five minutes to go, as a loose puck in the crease was tapped in by Allee Isley.
Manitoba fought for the equalizer, peppering GMU with 19 shots in the third, including a number of looks from in close, but the visitors hung on for the win.
Both teams play again tomorrow at 2 pm.
