LANGLEY, B.C. - The UBC Thunderbirds came up short despite an electric powerplay that counted for all their scoring as they fell 5-3 to the No.6-ranked Manitoba Bisons Saturday night at George Preston Arena.
The loss drops the T-Birds to 7-12-1 and may put a serious dent in their playoff aspirations as they will do some scoreboard watching. Fortunately the regina Cougars, with whom UBC is tied for the fourth and final playoff spot, fell 6-1 at Saskatchewan. Regina, however, has three games in hand, one which will be made up tomorrow.
The Bisons were able to counter a lethal T-Birds powerplay by making the most of their scoring chances. Kristin Cockerill scored the eventual winner when she broke into the zone but was quickly neutralized by the UBC defence. A crowd formed in front of the net and a loose puck came to Kristin Cockerill who's shot deflected off a UBC defender and up in the air before landing on Cockerill's stick and she slid the gift-wrapped goal past a helpless Choy with less than six minutes to play.
The Bisons who had trouble beating UBC netminder
Melinda Choy in last night's game beating the always steady Choy wasted no time Saturday night grabbing the lead on their first shot of the game. Chelsea Braun gathered a loose puck behind the UBC goal then fed in front to Addie Miles who fired cross crease to an open Becca King who made no mistake putting backhanding the puck passed Choy.
The Thunderbirds were able to counter mid-way through the period with the man advantage.
Christi Capozzi found a wide open
Rayna Cruickshank at the left point, she then fired a wrister through the crowd in front to beat a screened Tara Lacquette high blocker side.
The line of King, Miles and Tammy Brade continued to give the T-Birds fits and they would count again early in the second frame as Miles this time would deflect Brade's shot passed Choy. The T-Birds would answer right back, again while on the powerplay.
Alisha Choy skated in unmarked on the left wing and wired a wrist shot high over Lacquette's glove.
The Bisons however would take the lead with 90 seconds remaining in the middle stanza when King skated out from the corner and telegraphed a cross-crease pass to Brade who one-timed it home for a 3-2 lead.
The line of King-Miles-Brade combined for 3 goals and 8 points on the night.
Manitoba put the game away on an extended powerplay after
Claire Wong was give a five minute major and a game misconduct for checking from behind. Jordyn Hrehrichuk stole the puck and broke in alone from the blue and made a series of dekes before beating a prone Choy on the forehand.
Saturday marked the final home game for the Thunderbirds as they will take to the road for the final two weekends beginning in Saskatoon when they take on the Huskies February 5th and 6th. Manitoba meanwhile will return home to host Regina for a pair that same weekend.
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