VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds (12-1-2-1) skated to a 4-1 victory over the University of Calgary Dinos (4-11-1-0) at UBC’s historic Father David Bauer Arena on Saturday afternoon. The T-Birds remaining home sport of the calendar yr was a particular groups battle as each groups performed with a playoff-like depth. Winning on particular groups proved to be the distinction for the T-Birds, as they killed 11 of 12 Dinos powerplays, and scored two targets on 9 of their very own powerplay alternatives.
After gaining momentum off of an early penalty kill, UBC held the steadiness of play within the first interval. The T-Birds capitalized seven seconds into their third powerplay of the primary. Madisyn Wiebe gained an offensive zone faceoff, and rookie defender Jaylyn Morris instantly fed teammate Cassidy Rhodes on the high of the circle. Rhodes’ snapshot squeaked previous Dinos goalie Gabriella Durante (24 saves) for the sport’s first purpose, and the second-year sniper’s seventh of the season.
Just 1:35 after the 1-0 purpose, UBC struck once more. The dependable line of Grace Elliott, Chanreet Bassi, and Joelle Fiala confirmed off their chemistry with sustained puck-pressure within the offensive zone to create an opportunity. T-Birds defender Kailee Peppler sniped her second purpose of the season on a wrist-shot from the purpose that discovered its approach by means of visitors, and previous Durante.
“Getting on them, getting a bounce has been key for us, particularly in our home barn.” stated T-Birds Head Coach Graham Thomas on his staff’s begins. “If we will put a staff again on their heels instantly, that is an enormous factor.”
UBC outshot Calgary 30-7 in first-periods over the weekend sequence.
A stellar T-Birds penalty kill continued to be an element within the 2nd interval, as they survived two early Dinos powerplays unscathed. After Calgary’s Rebecca Clarke took a roughing penalty, Morris prolonged her staff’s lead on the powerplay. The standout first yr T-Bird ripped a tough, seeing-eye snapshot from the purpose, which discovered the top-shelf and gave UBC a 3-0 lead.
Both groups have been engaged in a bodily battle all through the sport, combining for 42 penalty minutes. The second interval noticed little even-strength motion with UBC taking six penalties and Calgary committing three infractions.
“There was not a number of move in any respect, and it was laborious to get sure gamers on the market that do not have a (particular groups) position.” Coach Thomas stated of the ‘parade’ to the penalty field.
The Dinos appeared to have scored on a late 5-on-3 benefit, nevertheless a Caitlyn Perlinger snipe from the slot was disallowed attributable to a crease violation. Not to be denied, Dinos’ second-year Sydney Mercier would tally a powerplay purpose, which counted, almost instantly after Perlinger’s disallowed purpose. Mercier notched a top-shelf backhand over T-Birds goalie Kayla MacDougall (21 saves) for her fourth purpose of the season, making it 3-1 heading into the ultimate body. However, this was as shut because the Dinos would get.
Chanreet Bassi put the sport out of attain within the third-period, because the fourth-year T-Bird caught with a free puck in entrance of the Dinos web, and finally sniped the sport’s dagger previous Durante. Despite taking three extra penalties within the third interval, UBC was capable of kill them off, and escape with a 4-1 win.
With the weekend cut up versus the Dinos, the T-Birds (27 pts) have a slim 1-point lead over the Mount Royal Cougars (26 pts), and Alberta Pandas (26 pts) for first place within the Canada West standings.
“It’s a canine struggle up there, Alberta and Mount Royal they don’t seem to be dropping proper now, so these factors are crucial. All these video games are actually necessary” Coach Thomas concluded.
UBC will head to Regina for a two-game weekend sequence towards the Rams (5-9-1-0), whereas Calgary hosts Trinity Western (6-7-0-1) at home to shut out 2023. Next weekend’s video games would be the final Canada West hockey motion earlier than the winter break.
