GAME DATE: Feb. 17 vs. Manitoba
LOCATION: Winnipeg, MB – 6:00pm MST
GAME DATE: Feb. 18 vs. Manitoba
LOCATION: Winnipeg, MB – 6:00pm MST
GAME DATE: Feb. 19 vs. Manitoba *if necessary
LOCATION: Winnipeg, MB – 3:00pm MST
HEADLINES:
The Cougars qualified for the postseason for the first time in program history and have been on a roll down the stretch. The Cougars lost 1-0, then defeated the No. 1 UBC Thunderbirds 2-0 last weekend, showing the entire national that they compete with anyone.
THE SERIES:
The Bisons are 6-12-2 lifetime against the Cougars in Canada West regular season play. They also won three of four matchups with Mount Royal this season.
MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS (10-13-1-4)
Mount Royal finished just one win shy of fifth spot in the conference and have been playing their best hockey heading into the second season. Goaltending has been Mount Royal's strength all season long and it was on full display this past weekend. Veteran goaltender Emma Pincott stopped all but one in a 1-0 loss to UBC. It was the rookie's turn on Saturday as Zoe DeBeauville shutout the No. 1 ranked Thunderbirds. In two games the Cougars allowed the highest scoring team in the conference, just a single goal.
MANITOBA BISONS (16-7-3-2)
The Bisons had a chance at finishing second and earning a first round bye. They went head-to-head with Alberta but the Pandas came away victorious both nights. The Bisons beat the Cougars in three of their four meetings this season and have had the Cougars' number in past seasons. Lauryn Keen ran away with the scoring title this season, scoring 34 points (9G, 25A), seven more than her closest competitor. Rachel Dyck had another strong campaign in the Bisons' crease. Dyck finished the season with a 1.51 goals against average and a 0.931 save percentage.
