Written by: Braeden Wills, Bison Sports Information
WINNIPEG - After the Saskatchewan Huskies upset the No. 1 Manitoba Bisons on Friday night, both teams were back in action at the Wayne Fleming Area on Saturday, January 13 for the second game of their women's hockey weekend series. It would turn out that the Bisons would only need the opening 2:41 to clinch the victory on Saturday afternoon. The Nicole Carswell goal early in the first period would be all Manitoba needed to win by score of 1-0.
"I am happy we got points and at this point we will take all the points we can get, " said Bison Head Coach Jon Rempel, commenting on his teams play over the weekend.
It was the Huskies that had the early goal in the Friday night game to open the scoring; Saturday was the Bisons' turn. Carswell managed to beat Saskatchewan goalie Jessica Vance after a Caitlin Fyten point shot was tipped on net. The Carswell tally would give Manitoba the early 1-0 lead. The rest of the period was dictated by the play of the goaltenders. Besides letting in the first goalie, Vance was solid for her squad. Bison rookie netminder Lauren Taraschuk was also steady for her team, stopping all eight shots in the opening frame.
The Huskies and Bisons battled to a scoreless second period while Vance and Taraschuk continued to shine for their respective teams. Saskatchewan came close to scoring during a mad scramble in front of the Manitoba net, but it was Taraschuk that eventually pounced on the loose puck.
The play of the two goalies continued to be the story of the game in the third period. Both the Bisons and Huskies had numerous opportunities to score but both goalies swallowed up everything that came their way.
Taraschuk finished the game with a 26 save shutout. Vance ended up stopping 19 of 20 shots in the loss.
Next weekend, Manitoba will play host to the Mount Royal Cougars (Jan.19-20) and Saskatchewan will travel west, to play the Calgary Dinos (Jan.19-20).
Three Stars of the Game
1.Lauren Taraschuk - Manitoba (26 save shutout)
2. Nicole Carswell - Manitoba (1g, game-winner)
3. Jessica Vance - Saskatchewan (19 saves)