Vancouver, BC - The #8-ranked UBC Thunderbirds women's hockey team will take on the #9-ranked University of Alberta Pandas this Friday and Saturday in a two-game series. Though UBC sits ahead of Alberta in national rankings, Alberta's 4-1-1 record puts them ahead of UBC in conference standings. Nevertheless, it's bound to be a close one.
Following their victory last Friday over the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, the Pandas found themselves on a three-game winning streak. However, the Huskies rebounded with a 3-2 overtime win on Saturday, bringing the Pandas' brief run to a quick end.
Despite the loss, so far it seems as though the Pandas' preseason concerns about consistency have proven a non-issue. The Thunderbirds, on the other hand, still have some work to do on this front.
Returning standouts for Alberta are fifth-year Jayden Skoye, who is ranked 11
th nationwide in points, and third-year Tess Houston, ranked 23
rd.
Forward and 2013 CIS All-Rookie Jessica Kampjes will also be back for her second year with the Pandas and can be expected to make some waves again this season.
Last season Alberta's playoff hopes were cut short after being defeated by the University of Calgary Dinos in the Canada West semifinal.
UBC is coming off a weekend split in Regina, losing the first game 2-0 and then handing the Cougars their first loss of the season the following night, winning 3-2. Thunderbirds forward
Tatiana Rafter is off to a great start this year as she leads the Canada West in goals (6) and scoring (9 points).
Sarah Casorso is second in the conference in scoring with eight points.
The puck drops at 7:00 pm on both Friday and Saturday at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.
