VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds gave the undefeated Alberta Pandas a run for their money on Friday night but couldn't quite keep up, as they were edged 3-1at the Father Bauer Arena.
The Pandas were in control for most of the first period which allowed them to jump out to a 2-0 lead. Jennifer Jubb got the scoring started in the first minute of play, jumping on a rebound to put her side ahead at the 42-second mark.
Leah Copeland doubled the lead later in the period on one of Alberta's many power play opportunities. The Pandas outshot UBC 15-5 in the frame and appeared to have taken a 3-0 lead late in the first when Stephanie Ramsay weaved her way through the T-Bird defence to get in on goal. The red light went on but the goal was eventually waved off after it was ruled that UBC goalie
Melinda Choy kept the puck out with a spectacular sprawling save.
After killing off a 5-on-3 situation early in the second, the T-Birds got on the board thanks to a great individual effort by
Tamara Pickford. While holding off a defender with one arm she was able to keep control of the puck with just one hand on her stick and wheel around the back of the net. She threw the puck towards the net from just behind the goal line and it banked in off Alberta goalie Dana Vinge to make it a 2-1 game.
"I was really really proud of our work five-on-five," said UBC head coach Nancy Wilson. "We created a lot of offence which normally doesn't happen against Alberta, and we are just getting stronger and stronger. Everyone believes in themselves."
Unfortunately for the 'Birds, they didn't get to play at even strength very often. They had to kill seven penalties against the conference's best offensive squad, including two lengthy five-on-three situations, and were unable to generate sustained pressure on offence.
"We had our chances at the net but there is no way we can beat Alberta playing four-on-five," said Wilson. "We had too many penalties and most of them were just because of over-aggressiveness."
Katie Borbely scored late in the second for Alberta to put the visitors up 3-1, and the Panda defence was able to shut the T-Birds down the rest of the way.
Alberta remains perfect at 17-0-0 on the year, while UBC falls to 5-9-1 on the year and remains four points out of a playoff spot.
The two sides will play game two of their weekend series on Saturday at the Father Bauer Arena. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m.
-30-
