This weekend: No. 8 Saskatchewan at UBC, Fri. & Sat., Nov. 12 & 13, 7:00 p.m., Doug Mitchell Arena.
A look at the T-Birds
After a promising start to the 2010-11 season, the UBC Thunderbirds have hit a losing streak, dropping each of their last three games. In a tightly packed Canada West, the need to recapture their early season form is paramount for the T-Birds.
But more troubling than the three-game skid is the nature of UBC's losses. In two of their last three games, the Thunderbirds have coughed up third period leads, allowing late goals that resulted in difficult losses. Last weekend, the 'Birds were swept in a weekend series against the previously winless Lethbridge Pronghorns, which puts UBC just two points ahead of last place.
The good news is that the Blue and Gold, at sixth place, sit just three points from the third place Manitoba Bisons, and there's a lot of hockey yet to be played. But the 'Birds are going to have to right the ship before they allow too many more chances to gain points pass them by.
Forward
Kaitlin Imai continues to shine for UBC, coming up with four points in two games last weekend to lead all T-Bird skaters. Her nine points in eight games puts her among Canada West's top 10 scorers.
Tatiana Rafter has also started to come on strong. The first year forward had two goals for three points in last weekend's series against the 'Horns. That more than doubles her output through the first half dozen games of the year. As she continues to adjust to the speed of the CIS, she will be an increasingly effective offensive force.
A look at the Huskies
The Saskatchewan Huskies sit tied for first place in Canada West following an inspired weekend sweep of the Calgary Dinos, who now share top spot with the Huskies. It was the second consecutive sweep for Saskatchewan, who head to UBC with designs on extending their four-game winning streak.
The key to the Huskies' impressive performances lately is their top line of Breanne George, Cara Wooster, and Julie Paetsch. The trio combined for 16 points in the two games versus the Dinos. George had a hat trick as part of her six-point weekend, and landed in second place in conference scoring with 15 points in eight games. George is also first in plus/minus at +11.
For her part, Wooster has 14 points in eight games, fulfilling the role of playmaker to George's sniper. Wooster is also +10 and Paetsch +9, showing that Saskatchewan's stars can cover the d-zone as well.
Goalie Mackenzie Rizos, a transfer from the University of Lethbridge, is equally integral to the success in Saskatoon. Rizos leads Canada West with six wins. She also sports an impressive 1.72 goals against average and a .943 save percentage.
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