Women's Hockey | 1/3/2017 10:26:00 AM

FRIDAY: vs. Manitoba, 7 p.m., The Co-operators Centre
SATURDAY: vs. Manitoba, 7 p.m., The Co-operators Centre
 
The University of Regina women's hockey team will kick off the 2017 portion of its Canada West schedule with a tough test, as the Cougars are set to host the Manitoba Bisons this weekend.
 
The Cougars (9-6-1-0) enter the weekend on a four-game winning streak, most recently sweeping the hometown Lethbridge Pronghorns with 5-2 and 3-0 wins. Regina occupies fourth place in the conference standings, just a point back of third-place Alberta and two points behind the second-place Bisons (8-4-3-1).
 
Jaycee Magwood is leading the conference in points scored through the first half of the season, piling up 11 goals and eight assists in 16 games. Kylie Gavelin (pictured) and Kylee Kupper have each posted six goals and six assists for the Cougars while Bailey Braden has 11 points on four goals.
 
Jane Kish has earned seven wins in net this season, posting a 2.43 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage. Rookie Morgan Baker has made six appearances between the pipes, notching a 3-1 record along with a 1.88 GAA and .908 save percentage.
 
Manitoba opened the season with six-straight wins but has has dropped off that hot start, going 5-5 over its last 10 games. Lauryn Keen leads the way for the Bisons with 17 points including a team-high six goals. Venla Hovi has 12 points in as many games while Alanna Sharman, Alexandra Anderson and Jayden Skoleski each have 10 points.
 
Fourth-year Manitoba goaltender Rachel Dyck is leading the conference with a 1.29 goals-against average and is also tops with a .938 save percentage. Her eight wins are second in the conference behind only Alberta's Lindsey Post. Amanda Schubert has also seen some time in net for the Bisons, sporting a 3-2 record to go along with a 1.83 GAA and .896 save percentage.
 
The Bisons took both games from the Cougars on home ice back in October, cruising to 5-1 and 7-1 wins. Lilla Carpenter-Boesch and Gavelin each had a goal for the Cougars that weekend.
 
The Cougars are 6-1 at home this season, with their only loss coming in a 3-2 defeat to Lethbridge on Oct. 14.

Both games will be available to watch at www.canadawest.tv.