The University of British Columbia Athletics

Calgary, AB - The UBC Thunderbirds extended their winning streak to five games, defeating the Mount Royal Cougars 4-2 Saturday afternoon in Calgary. With the victory UBC remains in top spot in the Canada West with a record of 7-2-1. The Cougars fall to 2-8-0 on the season.

BOX SCORE
 
An early shot off the post by Nicole Saxvik would swing the momentum in UBC's favour right from the opening faceoff and would be a good indicator of Saxvik's performance this game.
 
UBC got on the board just 2:49 into the first period on the power play as Rebecca Unrau sent a cross-crease pass to Stephanie Schaupmeyer on the doorstep who made no mistake for her third goal of the season to give UBC a 1-0 lead.
 
However Mount Royal would respond with two consecutive goals off their first two shots of the game. Rachel Piitz's weak wrister went off the chest of UBC goaltender Danielle Lemon and trickled down and into the net. Kacy Smith also fluttered a shot up high on Lemon which she couldn't handle putting the Cougars up 2-1 and spelling the end of the afternoon for Lemon. She was pulled in favour of Danielle Dube just 12:15 into the game.
 
Midway through the second period, again on the power play, Hannah Heisler picked off a pass in the Cougars' zone and spun a backhand through a crowd of players, finding Nicole Saxvik who would score to tie the game at 2-2.
 
UBC would regain their lead with just under four minutes remaining int he second period courtesy the league's leading scorer. Tatiana Rafter beat Cougars goaltender Jess Ross high despite being hauled down on a partial breakaway. That would mark Rafter's ninth goal in 10 games. The Thunderbirds went into the break with a 3-2 lead and 20 minutes left to play.
 
In the third period, the 'Birds would take advantage of some sloppy defensive play by Mount Royal, as Saxivk picked off an errant pass, scoring her second goal of the night and third of the weekend. That would being all the scoring on the afternoon as UBC doubled up the Cougars 4-2.
 
After replacing Lemon in net, Dube would shut the door the rest of the way, stopping all 32 Mount Royal shots she faced, picking up her second win of the weekend. Ross stopped 25 of 29 UBC shots she faced in a losing cause.
 
UBC improves to an impressive 7-2-1 record and look to be the ones to beat in the Canada West conference.
 
The 'Birds will have a bye next weekend and then return to action the weekend of November 15-16 when they play host to the Saskatchewan Huskies.