Media Kit

The University of Regina Cougars host the Manitoba Bisons this weekend in an important early-season matchup in Canada West men's hockey, as the teams enter the weekend tied for second place in the conference.

The Cougars are coming off a two-game series against Lethbridge in which they earned three out of a possible four points. The Pronghorns took a 4-3 shootout win on Friday, but the Cougars came back to win 5-2 on Saturday.

Putting the puck in the net hasn't been an issue this season for the youthful Cougars, as the team has scored 16 goals over the past three games. Second-year forward Kyle Ross and rookie defenceman Dylan Chapman lead the team in goals (3) and points (6), while Dustin Bru and Neil Kodman both have five points in their first four games.

Chapman, who already has as many points this year as he did in 59 games with the Chilliwack Bruins last year, leads all Canada West defencemen in scoring. With two goals and two assists, Ryan Cruse has also provided offence from the blue line this season.

Brant Hilton and Adam Ward have split the goaltending duties thus far for the Cougars. Both goalies have a 1-1 record, and Hilton – who was named to the 2008 CIS All-Rookie Team – leads the conference in both goals-against average (1.92) and save percentage (.925).

The Bisons sport a 2-3-1 record and are coming off a home split against conference-leading Saskatchewan. Manitoba took a wild 7-6 shootout win on Friday before dropping a 5-2 decision to the Huskies. Forward Riley Dudar leads the Bisons in scoring with six points, while Rick Wood has netted a team-high four goals over the team's first six games. Between the pipes, third-year goalie Steve Christie (2-4) has a 3.05 goals-against average and an .893 save percentage.

Since the University of Regina started its men's hockey program prior to the 1976-77 season, the Cougars have faced the Bisons more than any other team. Saturday's game will mark the 160th regular season meeting between the two teams, and Manitoba enters the weekend with an 87-58-13 historical edge over the Cougars. The teams met six times last season, with the Bisons winning four of those games.

The teams met twice in non-conference action this year. The Bisons took a 4-1 win on Sept. 12 in Waywayseecappo, Man., but the Cougars won 5-2 on Sept. 19 in Saskatoon.

Following this weekend, the Cougars will travel to Calgary for a pair of road games against the Dinos.

As always, live statistics will be available at www.reginacougars.com.