CALGARY- A strong second and third period lead the University of Calgary Dinos to a 3-1victory over the University of Manitoba Bisons, Saturday afternoon at the Father David Bauer Arena.
Calgary held Manitoba to only 13 shots, allowing only two in the second period.
"A change in lineup and playing with new players really got us going again. There was more communication in today's game compared to yesterday's," explained first-year forward Cheyann Newman.
Calgary was the first to strike, just six minutes into the first period. Newman got her first goal of the season on a pass from Heather Berzins. Newman beat two Bison defenders before going high blocker side on Amanda Schubert. Sarah Astle picked up an assist on the play.
"It was a great pass from Heather. It's nice to get that first one out of the way," said Newman on her goal.
The Bisons were quick to respond with a goal of their own just two minutes later. Alanna Sharman picked up a Dinos turnover before beating a defender wide to put away her ninth goal of the season unassisted.
Both teams ran into so penalty trouble in the middle stanza. Calgary would capitalize on one of their opportunities as the duo of Iya Gavrilova and Hayley Wickenheiser were at it again. Gavrilova put one past a screened Schubert on Wickenheiser's rebound. Janelle Parent added another assist to her four this season.
The Dinos played a calm third period, keeping majority of the play in the Bisons' end, hindering the Bisons chances at tying the game. The Dinos greatest opportunity to increase their lead came with just over three minutes to play in the third period. Wickenheiser fed Gavrilova a pass that gave her a partial breakaway, but Gavrilova just couldn't get the puck to go upstairs and in.
Wickenheiser put home an empty net goal to assure a Dinos victory with just over a minute left in the game.
"This weekend is definitely a booster for us heading into next weekend. We have to play hard every weekend, we know Alberta isn't going to be easy," said Newman on the upcoming games.
The Dinos will host a home-and-home set against the University of Alberta Pandas next weekend, November 21-22. The series will start in Calgary on the 21st at the Father David Bauer Arena at 7 p.m. before heading north on Hwy. 2 to play in Edmonton on Saturday.
Manitoba will return home to host the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds, Nov. 21-22.
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