VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds put up a spirited fight against the number one team in the Canada West, but a four-goal third period onslaught by the Saskatchewan Huskies decided things for the Huskies. Cara Wooster had two goals and an assist to lead Saskatchewan to a 5-2 win at Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Winter Sports Centre.
The 'Birds took a 2-1 lead into the final frame, holding off the powerful visitors through 40 minutes. But just like each of the last two weekends, UBC couldn't sustain their late lead.
"With young players, you have to learn to play with the lead, and that just hasn't been the case with us," said UBC head coach Nancy Wilson.
After Wooster opened the scoring in the first period, knocking in a cross-crease pass from Breanne George, the T-Birds grabbed a second period lead.
The first goal for UBC came on a scramble in front that resulted in first-year forward
Tatiana Rafter banging a puck past MacKenzie Rizos.
Emily Grainger capitalized on a chance a few minutes later, popping in a puck at the side of the net to give her team the lead.
The Blue and Gold came out for the third period with jump, taking the play to the Huskies in their zone. But then Huskies forward Kelsey Tulloch tied the game against the flow of play and the floodgates opened.
"In the third period, when they tied it up, we panicked a bit, and that's the stuff we need to get a hold of," said Wilson. "When we score, that next shift is so important. When they score against us, that next shift is so important."
Wooster scored her second goal of the game 28 seconds later to give Saskatchewan their first lead. From there, the Huskies never looked back, as Julie Paetsch added a goal, before Tulloch closed out the scoring when she found herself alone at the side of the UBC net, putting one over a downed
Melinda Choy.
"Our offense hasn't been the problem, it's been responsibilities in the defensive zone," said Wilson. "We worked on that a lot this past week. If we can take care of that we're a pretty good team."
The Thunderbirds will have another crack at the Huskies when they faceoff again on Saturday. Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m. at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Winter Sports Centre.
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