WINNIPEG — The University of Manitoba Bisons opened the 2026-27 Canada West women's hockey season with a 3-1 loss to UBC on Friday night at Wayne Fleming Arena in a rematch of last season's Canada West final. UBC, which captured the conference championship against Manitoba last spring, spoiled the Bisons' home opener.
UBC struck first on the power play at 5:18 of the opening period when Ilona Markova converted a chance with Dana Goertzen serving a body-checking minor. Hannah Dods assisted on the game's opening goal.
The Bisons responded later in the frame. Shayna Bannister scored Manitoba's first goal of the season at 14:10, finishing a setup from Seanna Price and Brynn Hannula to tie the game 1-1 heading into the first intermission.
The teams remained deadlocked through a scoreless second period. Manitoba killed off a UBC power play and generated six shots in the frame, while Thunderbirds goaltender Mya Lucifora turned aside all six chances she faced.
UBC regained the lead early in the third period when Maggie Rauckman scored at 2:24, finishing a play set up by Barunka Sibertova and Cassidy Rhodes.
Rauckman later added an insurance marker at 11:50 of the third period, converting a feed from Leila Sinclair to extend the Thunderbirds' advantage to 3-1.
But the Bisons had fight left in them. With UBC leading 3-1, Manitoba appeared to pull closer when a puck in front of the Thunderbirds' net seemed to cross the goal line. Officials waved off the goal at 3:41. The decision drew protests from the Manitoba bench and the 350 fans in attendance, while video replay in the arena appeared to show the puck over the line. With no video-review system available in U SPORTS play, the ruling stood.
Manitoba was unable to capitalize on four power-play opportunities, including three in the third period, finishing 0-for-4 with the extra skater. UBC went 1-for-2 on the power play.
Jenna Goertzen made 16 saves on 19 shots in her season debut for the Bisons, while Lucifora stopped 20 of 21 shots to earn the win for UBC. The Thunderbirds held a narrow 21-19 edge in shots on goal.
Norah Collins and Alyssa Rasmuson led Manitoba with four shots apiece, while Sadie Keller added three. Bannister's first-period marker stood as the Bisons' lone goal of the contest. The Bisons are back home Saturday at 1 pm in the second of the back-to-back match-up. Tickets are available here.
