LANGLEY, British Columbia – The Trinity Western Spartans surrendered a late game-tying goal before falling 3-2 in overtime to the Manitoba Bisons Friday evening at The ARENAS at the Langley Events Centre. The Spartans move to 4-2-1 in Canada West play, while the Bisons improve to 4-3.
Fifth-year forward
Kara Yackel (West St. Paul, Man.) scored and added an assist, while fourth-year forward
Kyra Anderson (Regina, Sask.) also scored for TWU. Fifth-year defender
Ella Boon (Vanderhoof, B.C.) assisted on both Spartans' goals.
Norah Collins scored twice for Manitoba, including the tying goal with 1:02 remaining in regulation, before Sara Harbus scored the winner at 3:34 of overtime. Glory Plett added two assists.
Third-year goaltender
Olivia Davidson (Edmonton, Alta.) made 22 saves for TWU, while Manitoba's Jenna Goertzen stopped 24 shots.
QUOTABLE
Peter Hay, TWU Head Coach
"Our team believes in the process, learning each day and growing. Today, we learned a lesson about how to win. We gave up the last 10 minutes and a very valuable point to Manitoba, who completely outworked and outplayed us down the stretch and found a way to beat us in overtime."
"For us to take another big step, we can't just be good for part of the game. We have to find a way to play for all 60 minutes, and we need all our players to be more ready and stronger throughout the entire game. It definitely showed that we couldn't handle their pressure with tired players."
"We need all four lines for all 60 minutes, and we need our starting goalie to come ready tomorrow so we can take two points and finish the weekend well. We will regroup, learn, grow, do some video, and be better tomorrow."
UP NEXT
The Spartans host Manitoba again Saturday, October 31, at The ARENAS at the Langley Events Centre. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. (PT), with the game available live on Canada West TV.
AS IT HAPPENED
Anderson opened the scoring at 3:37 of the first period, with Boon and Yackel drawing the assists. Collins answered at 9:04, assisted by Plett, to send the teams into the first intermission tied 1-1. TWU outshot Manitoba 11-6 in the opening period.
Yackel restored the Spartans' lead just 54 seconds into the second period, with assists from Boon and second-year forward
Shae LaPrade (Calgary, Alta.). TWU outshot Manitoba 10-6 in the frame and took a 2-1 lead into the third.
The Spartans killed both Manitoba power plays in the third period, but the Bisons outshot TWU 10-4 and drew even with an extra attacker at 18:58. Collins scored her second of the night, assisted by Sadie Keller and Plett, to force overtime.
Harbus completed the comeback at 3:34 of the extra period, with Addilyn Nohlgren earning the assist. Manitoba held a 3-1 advantage in overtime shots.
NOTABLE
- The Spartans held a 26-25 edge in shots.
- TWU is now 6-12 all-time against Manitoba, including a 5-10 record in Canada West regular season meetings.
- The result ended the Spartans' three-game winning streak, while the Bisons extended their winning streak to four games.
- Anderson's fourth goal of the season was her first at even strength and raised her season total to six points. Yackel recorded her first goal and first assist of the season, while Boon increased her team-leading assist total to five.
- TWU finished 0-for-3 on the power play and Manitoba went 0-for-2.
- The Spartans are now 6-for-31 (19.4 per cent) on the power play this season and have killed 21 of 26 opposition opportunities (80.8 per cent).
- Collins has scored in four consecutive games and leads Manitoba with five goals. Harbus' overtime winner was her first goal of the season.
About Spartan Athletics
As official members of U SPORTS, the Spartans currently compete in 13 sports in the Canada West conference, including women's and men's soccer, volleyball, basketball, hockey, cross country and track & field, as well as women's rugby sevens. TWU also competes as an independent team in men's rugby and women's and men's disc golf. Since TWU entered U SPORTS in 1999, the Spartans have won 15 U SPORTS team championships and 35 Canada West team championships.
About Trinity Western University
Recognized for quality, TWU has received seven consecutive A+ rankings for Quality of Teaching and Learning, holds three Canada Research Chairs, and wins national championships in U SPORTS. More importantly, lives are changed at TWU through its whole-person, Christ-centred approach to education. With a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, and adult degree-completion programs, TWU equips leaders of character and competence to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
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