Vancouver, BC - Fresh off an impressive weekend sweep in Saskatchewan, the UBC women's hockey team returns home for a weekend series against the Mount Royal Cougars, the newest edition to the CIS this season.
Women's Hockey
Mount Royal vs. UBC
Friday November 2, 2012 - 7:00 PM PST
Saturday November 3, 2012 - 2:00 PM PST
Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre
UBC Thunderbirds 4-2-2
Last weekend - Defeated Saskatchewan 5-4 OT and 3-2
Under first year head coach
Graham Thomas, the UBC Thunderbirds women's hockey team is serving notice they are not longer the league pushover. Last weekend the 'BIrds rallied from third period deficits in both games to come away with two wins and the full four points in Saskatchewan.
UBC is led by fifth year forward
Kaitlin Imai (Coquitlam, BC), who scored Saturday night's game winner against the Huskies, and sits fourth in the league in scoring with six goals and five assists. Imai, along with
Tatiana Rafter (Winnipeg, MB) and
Rebecca Unrau (Humboldt, SK), have provided the bulk of the scoring, accoutning for 16 of UBC's 23 goals this season. Rafter and Unrau each have five goals apiece.
In net, all three goalies have had their turn, but
Danielle Dube (Vancouver, BC) has been the most successful, posting a 3-1 record with a 1.99 goals against average, .941 save percentage, and two shutouts.
Special teams has been a big key to success for UBC this season. The Thunderbirds are first in the league on the power play (10-39, 25.6%) and third best on the penalty kill (29/35, 82.9%).
Mount Royal Cougars 3-4-1
Last weekend - Lost 5-2 and 4-1 to Regina
The Mount Royal Cougars come into the weekend sitting in sixth place in the Canada West and just three points behind UBC. They are coming off back to back losses to the Regina Cougars last weekend.
Mount Royal is led offensively by Tanika Dawson (3 goals, 6 assists), Chrissy Hodgson (5 goals, 3 assists), Sydney Laurin (4 goals), and Taralynn Suzuki (4 goals). The four players have scored 16 of the Cougars 19 goals this year.
In net Kendall Kilgour has seen the bulk of the work. She is 2-3 with a 3.85 GAA and .875 SV%. Jess Ross has been solid in her two games, going 1-1 with a 2.57 GAA and .921 SV%.
The Cougars are ranked fifth in the league on the power play (6-34, 17.6%) and dead last on the penalty kill (32-43, 74.4%).
Following Saturday's game there will be an alumni reception.
Click here for more details.
