SASKATOON - For the second night in a row a late third period goal resulted in a heartbreaking loss as the Saskatchewan Huskies defeated the visiting UBC Thunderbirds 4-3 Saturday night at Saskatoon's Rutherford Rink.
Julie Paetsch's goal with 39 seconds remaining in the final frame claimed the victory for the Huskies. UBC again had a late lead as
Tamara Pickford staked her to a 3-2 lead at 8:45 of the third period. However, Courtney Hillman scored less than four minutes later to tie the game at three before Paetsch's winner dashed UBC's hopes of coming home with a point.
"I'm obviously disappointed with the outcome," said UBC head coach Nancy Wilson. "Our effort was great tonight and I thought we deserved a better fate."
With the win, the Huskies move to 14-7-1 on the season, while UBC drops to 7-14-1 after the weekend sweep.
Thunderbird
Kelsey Kirkham opened the scoring in the game at 7:11 in the first period with her first of two goals on the night. The Huskies answered when Shelby Davey drove a loose puck home at 13:51 in the same period. The Huskies took a 2-1 lead when Cara Wooster found the net at 15:53 on the power play.
After a scoreless second period, Kirkham was the first to find the net again 2:17 into the third period. Kirkham's goal came with the man-advantage and tied the game at two.
"Kelsey was one of the best players on the ice tonight and it showed on the scoresheet", added Wilson.
Huskie goaltender Mackenzie Rizos made 34 saves in the game, while UBC netminder
Hillary Talbot made 25 saves at the other end of the ice.
The Huskies travel to Edmonton to take on the University of Alberta Pandas, while UBC returns home to host the University of Manitoba Bisons February 11-12 at Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre. Puck drops at 7:00 PM both nights.
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