Box Score

WINNIPEG - In a game between two of the top ten men's hockey teams in Canada, the No. 10 Manitoba Bisons (8-3-2) scored six in the third period to knock off No. 9 Calgary (9-6-0) in a blowout, 8-1 at Max Bell Centre.

Leading the way for Manitoba were Blair Macaulay and Del Cowan, who both scored a pair of goals. Cowan added an assist to bring his point total to three. Assistant captain Dane Crowley would add three assists.

The lone goal for Calgary was scored by fifth-year forward Teegan Moore. Dylan Hood and Walker Wintoneak assisted on the goal.

The story of this game was penalties, as the teams combined for 18. At one point, five players sat in the box at once and the penalty kill units for both sides were tested throughout. The Bisons stepped up to the challenge, allowing just one goal despite committing eight penalties. Two of their eight goals were shorthanded as well.

The game was, in fact, closer than the score suggested: the score stood as just 2-1 after two periods. This was thanks to an outstanding second period effort by Bisons goalie Jesse Deckert, who, in quick succession, stopped three wide open attempts by different Calgary players to keep the Bisons lead at one goal. Deckert would have 20 saves on the night.

That one goal lead would grow immediately after the puck dropped on the third period. Bisons forward Blair Macaulay would snap a wrister from the left circle just 40 seconds in, and follow that up with a breakaway backhander to push the Manitoba lead to 4-1. After that, the blowout was on. Two goals from Del Cowan, and one each from Mike Hellyer and Matthew Lowry sealed the deal as Manitoba turned it into target practice late.

The Bisons men's hockey team will play the second of a back-to-back against Calgary Saturday night at 6 p.m. MT at the Max Bell Centre.

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