Winnipeg, MB - The UBC women's hockey team's eight game winning streak came to a halt as the Thunderbirds lost 3-2 to the Manitoba Bisons Friday night in Winnipeg. It was just their third regulation loss of the year as UBC falls to 10-3-1 on the season, while Manitoba improves to 8-4-2.
At the half way point of the season the Thunderbirds sit in first place in the Canada West, one point up on Saskatchewan and two points up on third place Alberta.
The difference on the night came early in the second period with the game tied at one, the Bisons scored back to back power play goals 1:21 apart, less than three minutes into the frame. Caitlin MacDonald and Maggie Litchfield-Medd got the markers for Manitoba. They took that 3-1 lead into the final period.
The Thunderbirds cut the lead to one late in the third period courtesy of Devon Morrison. It was the first career CIS goal for the 'Birds rookie blue liner, unfortunately that is as close as UBC would come, losing 3-2.Â
Manitoba opened the scoring with just under four minutes remaining in the opening frame as Kayleigh Wiens beat Samantha Langford for her first of the season. UBC countered courtesy of Stephanie Schaupmeyer. She scored her fourth goal of the year with 39 seconds left in the first period to even the score at one after 20 minutes.
Special teams were a major factor as the 'Birds failed to score on the man advantage going 0-for-6, while the Bisons finished the night 2-for-7.
Langford stopped 29 of the 32 shots she faced. Manitoba's Amanda Schubert earned the win in net making 24 saves.
UBC returns home for their final series prior to the Christmas break. They will host Lethbridge November 29-30 at 7:00 pm at Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.
