EDMONTON, AB - Leading 2-1 midway through the second period, the Pandas give up three unanswered goals in a 4-2 home loss to Manitoba. 

Alberta struggled to generate consistent offence in the second and third period, mustering just three shots on goal in the final frame. 

Despite the loss, the Pandas (10-7-7) hold a four-point lead over Trinity Western for the second seed in the West Division. 

Abby Soyko continued her strong stretch for Alberta, scoring her ninth goal of the season. Abbey Bourdeaud'hui opened the scoring for the Pandas with her first of the campaign, while Natalie Kieser, Raegan Yewdall, and Annie King each recorded assists in a balanced offensive effort.

In goal, Grace Glover made 17 saves on 20 shots, keeping Alberta within one late into the third period.

For Manitoba, Norah Collins drove the offence with a goal and two assists, factoring in three of the Bisons four goals. Louise Fergusson, Julia Bird, and Sadie Keller also found the back of the net, while goaltender Emily Shippam turned aside 15 of 17 shots to earn the win.

First Period

The opening frame was tightly contested, with both teams trading chances but struggling to generate clean looks through the middle. Manitoba earned the game's first power play at 4:55 after a tripping call to Jessie Haner, but Alberta's penalty kill held firm.

The breakthrough came late at 18:00, when Abbey Bourdeaud'hui snapped home an even-strength goal off a setup from Raegan Yewdall and Annie King, giving the Pandas a 1-0 lead heading into intermission after outshooting the Bisons in the period.

Second Period

Momentum shifted early in the second. Alberta was whistled for tripping at 1:49, and Manitoba capitalized on the power play at 3:15 as Louise Fergusson converted a feed from Norah Collins, tying the game 1-1.

The Pandas responded at 12:17, when Abby Soyko finished a quick-strike sequence from Natalie Kieser and Brayden Stewart to restore Alberta's lead. The response was short-lived. Just 17 seconds later, Julia Bird answered for Manitoba, finishing a pass from Collins to make it 2-2.

Manitoba took its first lead of the night at 15:17, as Sadie Keller buried an even-strength chance set up by Jessie Haner, sending the Bisons into the second intermission up 3-2.

Third Period

Alberta pushed for the equalizer throughout the final frame, generating zone time but struggling to break through Manitoba's defensive structure. A tripping penalty to Jadynn Morden at 4:14 stalled momentum, though the Pandas killed the minor.

With Glover pulled for an extra attacker, Manitoba sealed the game at 19:09, when Norah Collins scored an empty-net goal off a feed from Addison Vines, closing out a 4-2 Bisons victory.