Skyler Bruce's tenth goal of the season wasn't enough for the Manitoba Bisons as the Regina Cougars scored twice off the power play in a 3-1 win on Saturday at Wayne Fleming Arena. 

Both teams generated chances in their opponents zone to open the first, but were unable to get quality shots on net for the bulk of the period.
 
Manitoba's best chance of the opening third came after a quick breakaway and a cross-ice pass in Regina's zone, which left forward Dawson Pasternak with space in front of the net. His shot forced the Cougars netminder Dylan Earnst to make a quality save that left the puck stopped on the goal line, which his defenceman swiftly cleared to safety.
 
The intensity fired up however after Regina found the back of the net. A drop pass from the boards gave Parker Jasper time and space from the blue line to pick his corner, and he fired it glove-side to score his first of the season.
 
The Bisons generated some great chances within the final minute of the period, forcing Regina's goaltender to make multiple saves to get his team to the second period with the lead.
 
A fiery second period culminated with two goals for each team in the final four minutes.
 
Regina went up 2-0 on the power play after the Cougars broke up an attack from the oncoming Manitoba side. With the Bisons unable to get defensively organized in time, Regina forward Cole Wirun split through the Manitoba defence to double their lead.
 
Just two minutes later the Bisons got themselves on the board. A clever drop pass by defenceman Kaycee Coyle gave Skyler Bruce the space to dangle the puck through the Regina defence, and he fired the puck bar-down to bring life back into the Bisons game.
 
This was the tenth time Bruce found the back of the net this season, and the third time within the last three games.
 
The Bisons looked to tie the game in the third, but it was only the Cougars who found the back of the net.
 
Once more on the power play, Cougars Defenceman Blake Heward got the puck on the blue line and found nothing but net as Manitoba's goaltender Cole Plowman was screened on the play.
 
The Bisons still had their chances to tie the game in the third period. Manitoba went up on the power play three times in the last half of the third, creating numerous chances that could have been a goal.
 
 But Regina's goaltender Ernst stood on his head to prevent Manitoba from gaining any sort of hope in the dying minutes, and the game ended 3-1 in Regina's favour.

Before puck-drop, Manitoba honoured five graduating players on seniors night which included Jackson Arpin, Evan Toth, Michael King, Codey Behun and Team Captain Johnny Hooker.
 
The Bisons head to Calgary next week to face off against the Dinos on Friday at 5 p.m. CT to close out the 2025-2026 Canada West season.