Oct. 8 - The Manitoba Bisons opened their '04-'05 season at the Max Bell Centre against the best team in the country, the Alberta Golden Bears.

A fast tempo was established early in the game and the Bisons capitalized first.

Twenty-year-old rookie Chris Falloon opened the scoring with an unassisted goal at the 7:49 mark to give the Bisons an early lead. It wouldn't last long however and the fire power of the Bears eventually tied the game. Five minutes after the Bison goal Justin Wallin was fed a pretty pass from teammate Wade Burt and lifted a back-hander over the shoulder of Bison goaltender Krister Toews. The Bears kept applying the pressure and before the period was complete Ben Thomson scored his first of two to give the Bears the lead.

A late penalty in the last seconds of the first put the Bisons up a man to start the second. Although they generated two excellent scoring chances Bear goalie Dustin Schwartz made some remarkable saves to preserve the Bear lead. Although the Bears were out shot in both the first and second periods they would be the ones to capitalize on their opportunities. After an interference penalty taken by the Bisons, Ben Thomson scored his second of the night.

The Bisons began the third determined to get back into the game and at the 3:28 mark they were able to achieve that. Andrew Kaminsky gave the Bisons hope by putting it past Schwartz after a huge scramble in front of the net. With seconds remaining in the game the Bison goaltender was pulled to get the extra attacker. Alberta's defensive play was steller however, and the Bisons were unable to penetrate deep in the Bear zone.

The two teams go head-to-head on Saturday night for the rematch

Final
Manitoba Bisons 2 Alberta Golden Bears 3

Scoring 1 2 3 Final
Bisons 1 0 1 2
Bears 2 1 0 3

Shots on Goal 1 2 3 Final
Bisons 12 13 7 32
Bears 10 8 12 30

Scoring Summary
Team Period Time Scored by Assists
Bison 1 7:49 Chris Falloon
Bears 1 13:59 Justin Wallen Burt, Johnson
Bears 1 16:33 Ben Thomson
Bears 2 18:22 Ben Thomson Shybunka, Johnson (PP)
Bison 3 3:28 Andrew Kaminsky Lang Falloon

Penalties
Bisons 4-8
Bears 5-10

Power plays
Bisons 0-3
Bears 1-2

Goaltenders
Bisons Krister Toews (L, 59:10, 3 GA, 30 SH, 27 Sv)
Bears Dustin Schwartz (W, 60:00, 2 GA, 32 SH, 30 Sv)