The University of British Columbia Athletics

Lethbridge, AB - Following an exhilarating comeback win on Friday evening, the Thunderbirds returned for a second confrontation with the Lethbridge Pronghorns Saturday night.  But unfortunately for the 'Birds, it was the Pronghorns who made the comeback this time around and ultimately took the 3-2 win.

"They wanted it more, played harder, worked us, and that's what happened," commented UBC head coach Graham Thomas following the loss.
 
"We need to be more responsible, more accountable in our zone and not just be excited to play in the offensive zone… take care of defense first."
 
"Early on we had lots of opportunities but let [Lethbridge] back in. We ran out of gas."
 
Despite having noted that his team played better and more consistently over two periods Saturday night, coach Thomas emphasized that consistency throughout an entire 60 minutes is an aspect of their game that still needs work. But he added, "We're a young team, with lots of expectations and teams coming after us. We just need to be patient."
 
But going forward, Thomas is optimistic about how the team is playing better hockey, learning and coming together as a group.
 
The head coach gave a special nod to Nikola Brown-John for her impressive play this weekend, along with Tatiana Rafter, Stephanie Schaupmeyer, and Nicole Saxvik who each contributed noteworthy efforts in Lethbridge.
 
The first goal of the game would stem from some quick passing between Stephanie Payne and Sarah Casorso to Nicola Brown-John, who snapped a hard shot from up close and into the top corner of the net, proving too quick for Pronghorns goalie Crystal Patterson to react.
 
With five minutes remaining in the first  period and on a man-advantage, Brown-John slipped her second goal of the night past Patterson with the help of Tatiana Rafter and Casorso to put UBC ahead by two.
 
Poor discipline landed Lethbridge in the penalty box on a number of occasions following some dangerous checks to the head of UBC players, which hindered the Pronghorns' efforts to recover from a 2-goal deficit.
 
Five minutes into the second, a deflection off the pads of UBC goalie Danielle Dube landed on the stick of Glenda Edie, who found the back of the net and brought Lethbridge within a goal of the 'Birds.
 
Both teams produced a number of chances through the remainder of the second period but neither would register another goal before the intermission.
 
Early on in the third frame the Pronghorns would tie up the game after a pass from behind the net to Sadie Lenstra at the point, who fired the puck right into the net.
 
Two minutes later Lethbridge would tally another goal as Kirsten Reeves beat Dube five holeand for the first time in the game UBC found themselves trailing. That goal would prove to be the winner. 3-2 was the final.

The Thunderbirds will be back in action next weekend when they play host to the Calgary Dinos October 11-12 in their home opener.