LANGLEY, B.C. — The University of Manitoba Bisons saw their four-game winning streak come to an end Saturday night, falling 4-2 to Trinity Western in Canada West women's hockey action.
Trinity Western took control with a pair of power-play goals and carried a 3-0 lead into the third period.
The Spartans opened the scoring late in the first when Shae LaPrade converted on the power play at 15:05, with assists from Kara Yackel and Ella Boon.
Another Manitoba penalty proved costly in the second period. Audrina Freeman scored with the player advantage at 6:51 off feeds from Kamryn Reiber and Presleigh Giesbrecht, extending the lead to 2-0. Later in the frame, Avaya McCann added an even-strength marker at 10:55, assisted by Bailey Fiala and Giesbrecht.
The Bisons pushed back in the third.
Norah Collins got Manitoba on the board at 3:41, scoring her sixth goal of the season off assists from
Sadie Keller and
Sara Harbus. Collins continued her strong offensive stretch after scoring three goals in the previous weekend's sweep of Alberta and adding two more in Friday's overtime win over Trinity Western.
Manitoba pulled within one at 12:47 when
Addison Vines scored her first goal of the season, finishing a play set up by
Claire Moorman and
Kelsey Huibers.
The Bisons pressed for the equalizer late, but LaPrade sealed the result with an empty-net goal at 18:37, her second goal of the game.
Trinity Western and Manitoba each recorded 26 shots on goal. Spartans netminder Grace Deveau stopped 24 of 26 shots to earn the win, while Manitoba goaltender
Cypress Classen made 17 saves on 20 shots before the empty-net marker.
Special teams proved to be the difference. Trinity Western capitalized on two of its four power-play opportunities, while Manitoba did not receive a power play all evening.
Despite the defeat, the Bisons earned a split of the weekend series and have won four of their last six games after opening the season 0-2. The team will play in Regina Friday before heading to Virden for a game in conjunction with Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation.
