Bisons hold on to win 6-4 over the Dinos in men's hockey

Written by: Ryan Stelter

WINNIPEG, MB- On Friday, February 5, the University of Manitoba Bisons men's hockey team took on the University of Calgary Dinos in the first of a two game series at the Wayne Fleming Arena. The Bisons scored three goals in the second period, which proved to be enough as they held on to win 6-4. With the win, the Bisons end their two game losing streak and improve to 11-12-2, the Dinos have their four game winning streak snapped with the loss and fall to 11-10-4 on the conference season.

The game did not start well for the Bisons, just 58 seconds into the contest Dino defenseman Alex Dzielski took a shot from the point that floated over the shoulder of Manitoba netminder Byron Spriggs. Shortly thereafter, Spriggs made a massive paddle save on the goal line to keep the score at 1-0. Spriggs was tested early and often in the opening minutes of the game.

Manitoba would tie things up after Jordan DePape came blistering in on a breakaway and went forehand back hand and stuffed the puck home on Calgary goalie Steven Stanford.

The Bisons would take the lead at 9:45 of the first after a Dino defenceman took out Stanford outside his crease, the Bisons were able to capitalize through Jonah Wasylak. He picked up the loose puck and managed to slide it past a sprawling Stanford.

Spriggs was once again called into action for the Bisons minutes later when he came up with two massive stops from close range. The second year goalie made ten saves in the period.

Calgary poured on the pressure towards the end of the period but could not find the back of the net. The home team would head into the break with a 2-1 lead. 51 seconds into the second frame, Manitoba would add to their lead. Drydn Dow had the unfortunate luck to have a shot deflect off of him and into the back of the net after a pinching Rene Hunter let off a shot from a sharp angle.

Both netminders made some key saves in the second period, with Spriggs having to come up big for the Bisons, as he stymied Dino forward Kolton Dixon on a clean cut breakaway chance. Stanford would make a great cross crease pass to stop Jesse Paradis after what looked like a sure goal.

Jordan Boyd would give the Bisons a 4-1 after a great effort from Wasylak, which saw him slide a pass over to Boyd on his backside. The goal was Boyd's first as a Bison.

"Obviously, it's nice, getting that first one late in the season, feels good," Boyd said post game, "It was a great effort from Jonah to get it over to me, and I managed to squeak it five-hole."

This prompted a timeout to be called by Dinos head coach Mark Howell. The timeout seemed to work, as the Dinos would cut into the Bisons lead soon after, via the stick of Cain Franson.

Manitoba would restore their three goal lead minutes later after rookie Liam Bilton wristed home a shot top shelf. Calgary was not about to pack it in for the night, as they stormed back and scored two goals a mere 38 seconds apart. The Bisons would head into the locker room on their heels after the Dinos onslaught.

The third period would remain goalless until DePape scored on an empty net with 43 seconds remaining in the game, his second goal of the night and 19th of the season. He leads the Canada West in scoring with 40 points in 26 games. The home team would walk away on Friday 6-4 winners.

Bison Shaq Merasty had three assists on the evening, snapping his five game pointless streak.

Boyd talked post game about the importance of the win for Manitoba. "It was a huge win for us, we want to get that home ice advantage," he said, "We need these four points this weekend"

The Bisons close out their 2015-16 regular season home games on Saturday, February 6 at 1 PM CST against the Calgary Dinos at the Wayne Fleming Arena.

TOP SCORERS:

MAN: Shaq Merasty (3A), Jonah Wasylak (1G, 1A), Jordan DePape (2G)

CGY: Elgin Pearce (2A), Cain Franson (1G, 1A)

SCORING SUMMARY:

MAN: 2-3-1=6

CGY: 1-3-0=4