Men's Hockey | 11/7/2017 11:44:00 AM

FRIDAY: vs. Manitoba, 7 p.m., The Co-operators Centre
SATURDAY: vs. Manitoba, 3 p.m., The Co-operators Centre

The University of Regina men's hockey team is back in action this weekend following the Canada West bye week, as the Manitoba Bisons are in town for a two-game set.

Cougar Connection
Regina enters the weekend with a 1-6-1 record, most recently dropping two close games against No. 1-ranked Alberta at the end of October. Ian McNulty is leading the Cougars in points through eight games, with two goals and six assists. Rookie Zak Zborosky has a team-high four goals to go with three assists while Brody Luhning has chipped in with seven helpers from the blue line.

First-year netminder Michael Herringer has started all but one game for the Cougars to this point, posting a 1-5-1 record with a 4.84 goals-against average and a .866 save percentage. Dawson MacAuley got the call in the team's last game, allowing four goals on 49 shots.

The Opposition
Manitoba currently sits fifth in the Canada West standings with a 4-4-0 record. The Bisons swept Mount Royal University at home in their latest action with 4-1 and 3-2 wins. Michael St. Croix leads the scoring charge for Manitoba with two goals and six assists. Adam Henry has two goals and five helpers while Kamerin Nault and Nick Zajac have both tallied three goals and three assists.

Fourth-year goaltender Byron Spriggs has played every minute between the pipes for Manitoba, notching a 3.51 goals-against average and a .884 save percentage.

Previous Meetings
The Cougars and Bisons met twice in the pre-season, splitting a pair of exhibition games in Winnipeg. Manitoba took the first 3-2 before the Cougars rebounded for a 4-2 win the following afternoon behind two goals and an assist from McNulty.

The 2016-17 regular season was a different story, as the Bisons took all four games from the Cougars. Manitoba has won the last seven regular season meetings, with the last Cougar win coming on Oct. 9, 2015.