WINNIPEG, MB — Special teams was a significant story coming into this weekend, and it went the way of the Huskies on Saturday afternoon at Wayne Fleming Arena, as they split their weekend set with the Manitoba Bisons with a 6-2 win. The victory improved their record to 9-5-2-0, while the Bisons fell to 7-9-0-0 and had their four-game win-streak snapped. Both teams are in playoff positions as they near the winter break.

The Huskies — who've allowed just four power play goals all year — scored short-handed just over a minute into the second, while also cashing in on their second power play with less than three minutes left in the middle frame. The Bisons — who've scored 12 power play goals — were 0 for 4. 

A great save on one end was followed by the first period's only goal just under six minutes in. Huskies goaltender Colby Wilson made an impressive blocker stop on Julia Bird, leading to a quick transition from Dogs as Sophie Lalor netted her third of the season. From that point onwards, Manitoba pressed for the equalizer and had a plethora of chances. They out-shot the Huskies 20-9 overall but couldn't level the game.

Kennedy Brown scored a player down, as she capitalized on a rebound on an odd-person rush just over a minute into the second period. Seven minutes later, Saskatchewan added a third, as Taylor Wilkinson tapped in a cross-crease feed from Kelsey Hall. The goal pushed Bisons goalie Meagan Relf from the game, as Emily Shippam took over netminding duties. 

The Bisons got one by Wilson with just over eight minutes left in the second, as the Bisons scored on a perfectly-placed wrist shot from the right circle. However, Sophie Lalor rounded out the scoring on the power play, as a Bison fell down, giving her all kinds of time to shoot from just inside the faceoff dot to re-pad a three-goal lead for the Huskies.

Despite the score, Manitoba — who recorded 31 shots after 40 — had their chances, including a no-look pass from behind the net from Jena Barscello to Norah Collins that was stopped, along with a Hannah Bailey pass to Collins with plenty of room that was steered away by the Huskies back check. 

Brown netted her second goal of the game in the opening minute of the third, but Manitoba kept fighting. With less than five minutes to play, Kate Gregoire scored her second of the weekend and team-leading seventh of the season on a no-look pass from Sarah Dennehy. The Huskies added an empty-netter to round out the scoring. 

The Huskies will be back on the road next weekend, heading to Calgary to take on the Dinos. Live stream is available at CanadaWest.TV.