VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds reversed their fortunes Saturday night in Winnipeg, defeating the Manitoba Bisons 2-1 in overtime.
BOX SCORE
Eight minutes into the overtime period,
Tatiana Rafter (Winnipeg, MB) buried the game-winning goal, a marker that was set up by
Rebecca Unrau (Humboldt, SK) and
Sarah Casorso (Kelowna, BC).
The win improves UBC to 6-3-3 and provides a crucial two points in the tight Canada West standings. With Regina sweeping Alberta this weekend, second and fifth place are now separated by just two points. The difference between second and fifth, of course, is the difference between a first round playoff bye and an away series in the first round.
Head Coach
Graham Thomas was pleased with how his team bounced back after a lackluster defeat on Friday night, when Manitoba won 2-1 and UBC managed just 12 shots on net.
“We had a much better effort tonight,” said Thomas. “We played much better as a team.”
The game was scoreless until late, thanks to solid goaltending from
Danielle Dube (Vancouver, BC), who was starting on back-to-back nights for the first time this season, and Dee-Ana Marion. Dube finished with 33 saves on the night.
“This was a must-win game,” Thomas explained. “So we went with the experience in net.”
It wasn't until 15 minutes into the third period that the scoreless tie was broken, when Casorso scored a power play marker. Just minutes later, Meagan Vetsby tied the game for Manitoba.
It looked as if UBC had another power play marker on a 5-on-3 in the third but it was called back with the referee deeming that the puck had been deflected by a high stick.
Despite that setback, the UBC special teams performance was strong, killing off seven penalties.
The win was the first in seven years for the Thunderbirds in Manitoba, breaking the alleged curse the team suffers from at Max Bell Arena.
UBC will try to maintain their momentum, having only lost once in regulation in their past six games, next weekend as they return home to host Alberta. Manitoba will travel to Regina.
-30-
