Box Score Written by: John Gaudes

WINNIPEG  - The inaugural game in the newly-named Wayne Fleming arena was one to forget for the Manitoba Bisons men's hockey team.  Their season opener and home opener saw a dominating performance by the visiting Alberta Golden Bears (1-0-0), who defeated Manitoba (0-1-0) 5-0.

Manitoba got a full-game effort from goalie Joe Caligiuri, who was tested early and often in front of his net. Though he let in five goals, he made a lot of challenging saves (and a few outstanding ones) to get 36 saves on the night.

For Alberta, five different players notched their five goals.  Forwards Jamie Crooks, Jordan Hickmott, and Levko Koper all got in on the action, as did defensemen Jordan Rowley and Ian Barteaux.  Forward Brett Ferguson recorded two assists, while goalie Kurtis Mucha recorded the shutout with 12 saves.

"We're a much better team than what we showed tonight, and it's a disappointing game for us," said Bisons head coach Mike Sirant.  "We didn't execute the game plan and the details that we worked all week on in order to play against Alberta."

"It's a very humbling game and we're going to have to show some pride and redeem ourselves on Saturday."

Alberta began the game as dominant as they would play throughout, and didn't take long before earning a lead.  Seven minutes into the first period, Crooks wristed a shot past Caligiuri, who was screened, to give his team a lead.  Later in the period, Rowley would crack a long slapshot from the blue line into the top shelf.  With 15 seconds left in the 1st, Barteaux got in on the action, putting his team up 3-0 headed into the first break.

Bisons did not do much in the regrouping department in the second.  They came out more physical, but were not able to develop any sort of offensive momentum.  Alberta added an even strength goal and a shorthanded one in the second period to put the game out of reach, as the third period passed without incident on either side.

The game was preceded by a ceremony honouring the legacy of Wayne Fleming, a former University of Manitoba Bisons men's hockey player and head coach who coached in the NHL.  Fleming passed away earlier in the year, and the arena - formerly known as the Max Bell Arena - was renamed in his honour.  In addition, Bisons captain Dane Crowley was the first recipient of the Wayne Fleming scholarship.  Fleming will be inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame this year.

The Bisons and Golden Bears will play the second of a back-to-back on Saturday, October 5th. Puck drops at 6 p.m. CST.  The Bisons then close a rare three-day weekend on the road against the University of North Dakota in a non-conference game set to start at 7:07 p.m. CST.