Lethbridge – The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns fell short of completing back-to-back weekend sweeps, as the University of Manitoba Bisons fought hard to earn a split, winning 3-1, Saturday night at Nicholas Sheran Arena.
Boxscore
Brenley Anderson, Kayla Duna and Nellie Minshull notched goals for the Bisons while Megan Bailey scored the lone goal for Lethbridge.
The ‘Horns played well defensively, managing to neutralize the Bisons offensive attackers and limiting them to only 7 shots in the opening period; a dramatic change from last night’s stats.
Manitoba’s tenacity paid off in the second. Third year forward Brenley Anderson, off a great pass from rookie Kayleigh Weins, found the back of the net for her second of the year.
Manitoba’s momentum continued while penalties plagued the Pronghorns. Facing a 5-on-3 situation in the first half of the period, the ‘Horns looked to keep the game within reach, avoiding any additional costly goals.
A Bisons’ goal midway through the second was waved off and ruled no goal, fueling the fire for the visiting team.
Pushing back on a power play of their own, the ‘Horns offense drove into the slot and Durnin unloaded a shot on net and the ensuing rebound was nabbed by Bailey, who was in position to put it away, tying the game 1-1.
Back on the power play and riding the momentum of their equalizing goal, Lethbridge upped the pressure on Bisons’ Tara Lacquette, with shots from Van Buskirk, Mucha and Williams sneaking through traffic but stonewalled by the keeper.
Third period action got underway with both teams exchanging scoring chances. After being outshot in the second 13-7, the Bisons looked to re-establish their presence at the net. A sharp angle shot from Amy Lee and a hard wrister from Jessica Carswell forced Patterson to react quickly. Not showing any signs of letting up, Lee and Pawluk continued to put the puck on net for the Bisons, firing rockets from the point.
The Bisons would continue to force the ‘Horns into their own zone as the pace of the game reached its peak and after many close chances, Manitoba would earn its difference maker. Kayla Duna skillfully out-dangled Patterson, going up and over her stick, to give her team the lead at 13:37.
The final minutes of play saw the ‘Horns fight for a comeback but were unable to generate the offensive push they would need despite a solid effort by Bailey, whose blast was gloved by an outstretched Lacquette, who made 32 stops on the night.
Nellie Minshull added an empty netter at 18:57, increasing the margin to two, as Manitoba earned a 3-1 road win.
With this win, the University of Manitoba Bisons (3-3-2 CW) are back to .500 and head home to prepare for next weekend’s matchup against the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds (1-5-2 CW) at Max Bell Arena. The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns (7-3-0 CW) travel to Saskatchewan next, where they take on the University of Regina Cougars (3-5-0 CW).
