The University of British Columbia Athletics

Vancouver, BC - On Saturday afternoon the #10 UBC Thunderbirds women's hockey team faced the #7 Calgary Dinos in the second of a two-game series. Facing the very same opponent they beat last year two win the Canada West title, it was a rather appropriate game for the 'Birds to at last raise their championship banner to the rafters. But unfortunately their efforts came up short, losing to Calgary in a shootout 4-3.

BOX SCORE
 
The Thunderbirds' performance seemed sub-par following their 4-0 shutout win over Calgary the previous evening. Apparently, the Dinos had come prepared to bite back.
 
The Dinos were up 3-1 after two periods as the 'Birds fell into a bit of a slump, which UBC head coach Graham Thomas attributed to his team's lack of focus this game.
 
UBC did manage to come back from their two-goal deficit after taking a moment to visualize and refocus between the second and third periods, Thomas said.


 

"But I give [Calgary] credit too – they came out hard, played more physical and with more intensity. We weren't as sharp as we were yesterday and we didn't have the jump, the intensity, the fight."
 
Thomas said he will have to get the girls into battle shape to foster a more physical playoff style of hockey moving forward.
 
Seeking redemption after a big loss Friday night, the Dinos would be the ones to open the scoring. A failed clearing attempt by UBC handed Calgary their first goal of the weekend as Kate Lumley squeaked a shot between Danielle Dube's pads to make it 1-0 Calgary.
 
The 'Birds responded shortly after when Rebecca Unrau picked up a loose puck, weaved into the slot and sent a backhand into the net. 1-1 is how things stood through 20 minutes of play.
 
In the second period a rebound off of Dube's pads fell right onto blade of Dinos forward Bronwyn Stevens who popped it up into the top corner to put the visitors in front 2-1. And, with under a minute to go in the second period, Calgary pocketed their third goal of the afternoon when Janelle Parent stuffed a lose puck into the net through Dube. 3-1 was the score after two periods of play.
 
Early in the third, UBC returned to the ice with renewed energy. Tatiana Rafter rang a shot off the crossbar. The 'Birds were coming back.
 
At the midpoint of the final period, UBC captain Christi Capozzi's powerful one-timer off a pass from Sarah Casorso tipped off a body in front and fooled goaltender Amanda Tapp to cut the lead to 3-2. 
 
With under five minutes to go, UBC would score the equalizer as Rafter connected with Casorso in front, and with a quick wristshot she netted the goal to tie the game at three a piece.
 
A late penalty to Capozzi put the 'Birds one man down with two minutes remaining, but UBC's penalty kill hustled hard to stunt the Dinos powerplay, and the game was headed for overtime.
 
Over the ten minutes, the teams took turns with possession but neither would score. UBC goalie Samantha Langford, who replaced Danielle Dube to start the third period, kept her team in the game, making a number of key saves in the dying seconds of overtime. A shootout would decide the result.
 
The Dinos would ultimately get the win as the 'Birds went scoreless in the shootout. Forward Jenna Smith scored the winner for Calgary.
 
Final shots were 31-23 in favour of Calgary. On powerplay, UBC went 1-for-6 and Calgary finished the day 1-for-5.
 
For UBC, Dube made 15 saves over 40 minutes, and Langford had 12 over 30 minutes.
 
Calgary netminder Amanda Tapp would record the win stopping 20 of the 23 shots she faced. 
 
Next weekend the Thunderbirds head to Regina, where they will take on the Cougars Friday and Saturday night.