Bisons climb into top spot after sweeping Cougars

1st year forward Jordan Kulbida (18) of the Regina Cougars in action during the Women's Hockey home game on January 27 at Co-operators arena. Credit: Arthur Ward/Arthur Images1st year forward Jordan Kulbida (18) of the Regina Cougars in action during the Women's Hockey home game on January 27 at Co-operators arena. Credit: Arthur Ward/Arthur Images

The University of Manitoba Bison women’s hockey climbed atop the Canada West after sweeping the University of Regina Cougars on the road this weekend.

Manitoba outscored Regina 5-1 over the weekend, earning a pair of wins to move into first place.

Friday

In the first game of the weekend, the second-ranked Bisons jumped ahead early and cruised to 4-1 over Regina.

The two Alanas came together to give the Bisons the early advantage. Alanna Sharman sent a cross-ice pass to Alana Serhan, and the winger hammered a one-timer by Cougars goalie Jane Kish for the 1-0 lead.

Lauryn Keen and Mekaela Fisher also notched goals for the herd – their sixth and first, respectively – putting Manitoba up 3-0.

Lilla Carpenter-Boesch got Regina on the board midway through the second, but Serhan ’s second of the night put the game out of reach and the Bisons earned a 4-1 victory.

Manitoba’s Lauren Taraschuk made 18 saves to earn her ninth win of the season.

Saturday

The two sides met again for a Saturday matinee, where Erica Rieder led the way for the Bisons as they earned a 1-0 win.

Rieder notched the game-winner at the 4:15 mark of the opening period. The defender put home a rebound on the rush to pot her seventh of the season.

The two sides clamped down defensively and the score stood. Rachel Dyck made 29 saves to earn her third shutout of the season.

With the win, the Bisons earned the weekend sweep and improved to 16-5-2-1 on the year.

The Bisons are on the road against the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns on Feb. 2-3.