SASKATOON, SK – The Saskatchewan Huskies welcomed the Manitoba Bisons to Merlis Belsher Place on Friday night for their long-awaited Homecoming game, officially marking the start of their 2023-24 season. It was a physical game on both sides of the puck, with the Huskies securing their first win of the season, defeating the Bisons 4-2.
 
Kate Ball wasted no time, scoring the Huskies first goal of the season early in the first. Sophie Lalor walked in from the top of the circle on Manitoba's goaltender, Emily Shippam, resulting in a rebound and a quick backhand into the back of the net by Ball.
 
Not long after, Kate Gregoire of the Bisons responded, putting one past Saskatchewan's goaltender, Camryn Drever, evening out the game at one a piece to end the first period.
 
The Huskies came out flying to start the second, putting up two back-to-back goals on the power-play in the first two and a half minutes. Lalor and Kelsey Hall, a potential power pair, received two points each by assisting each other's goals.
 
Just after the ten-minute mark of the second, Lalor got the puck past Shippam once again, recording her second goal of the game. 
 
After a tough second period, the Bisons pushed back hard, keeping possession of the puck for a large fraction of the third. Shortly after the fifth minute, Manitoba's Sarah Dennehy put one past Drever, shortening the gap in the score.
 
Despite the Bison's final push in the third, the comeback remained elusive, and the Huskies opened their season with the win. 
 
The Huskies outshot the Bisons 29-23. Bison's Emily Shippam recorded 25 saves, with Camryn Drever saving 21 for the Dogs. Manitoba had a total of 12 penalty minutes compared to Saskatchewan's eight, proving detrimental to the Bisons game, giving up two goals on the penalty kill. 
 
NEXT UP
The second game of the series takes place Saturday at 5 PM and can be streamed on CanadaWest.TV. Huskie fans can also listen live on HuskieFan.ca.