Anthony Simone, Cougar Athletics
CALGARY - The Manitoba Bisons were able to grind out a back and forth affair against the Mount Royal Cougars earning the 4-3 victory Friday night at Flames Community Arenas.
The Mount Royal Cougars took on the Manitoba Bisons in game 1 of the weekend series, looking to pick up their first home victory of the season.
The game got off to a slow start, with neither team creating any real scoring opportunities in the first half of the period.
Manitoba was able to generate some offensive flow mid-way through the period on the power play.
MRU's second year goaltender Zoe De Beauville made an incredible post to post save on Manitoba's Courtlyn Oswald early on the power play, but was unable to stop Jordyn Zacharias strong slap shot from the blue line, as it tipped off her glove and into the back of the net, making it 1-0 Bisons 12:09 into the first period.
The Cougars were able to knot up the score shortly after with a power play marker of their own.
Kate Hufnagel scored her second goal of the season as she deflected Rachel Pitz's centring shot through the five-hole of Bisons netminder Rachel Dyck, taking the Cougars into the locker room with momentum and the score tied 1-1.
In the second, the Cougars had a glorious opportunity to take the lead when the Bisons were caught on a line change, springing Rachel Pitz on a partial breakaway. Pitz's shot nearly found the back of the net, but a sprawling Dyck was able to get a glove on the puck before it crossed the red line.
A give away at centre ice by the Cougars 13:16 into the period gave the Bisons the lead, as number 23 Lauryn Keen streaked down the ice, squeaking a slap shot through a slim opening between De Beauville and the post, putting Manitoba up 2-1.
Mount Royal continued to fight back as moments later the second year forward Nicolette Seper, split the defence and slide in her own rebound past Dyck, tying the game at 2-2 heading into the final period.
Manitoba took control in the third period.
Fourth-year forward Alanna Sharman blasted home a one-timer from Jordyn Zacharias at 6:55, once again giving the Bisons the lead.
The Cougars went on the power play minutes later but were unable to tie the game.
Jordyn Zacharias capped off her impressive night and ended any chance of a Cougars comeback with a nifty backhand goal past De Beauville, making the score 4-2.
Nicolette Seper made things interesting in the final moments scoring her second goal of the game, but it was too little to late for the Cougars as they fell to the Bisons 4-3.
Jordyn Zacharias earned 1st-star honours picking up 3 points with 2 goals and an assist in the winning effort.
" We used our speed to our advantage," Said Zacharias.
" We kept our feet moving which opened a lot of things up, and made great passes all game."
The Cougars will have the opportunity for that first home win of the season as they play game 2 vs. the Bisons tomorrow afternoon at 3 P.M. at Flames Community Arenas.
