VANCOUVER - The five UBC Thunderbird seniors who will be honoured for Senior's Night on Saturday decided that they didn't want that to be the last home game of their careers.
BOX SCORE
Instead, the Thunderbirds came out on fire on Friday night, defeating the Manitoba Bison 4-1 to guarantee they will host a playoff series for the first time in program history. The win also bumps the Thunderbirds into third place in the Canada West conference.
Manitoba, on the other hand, still needs two points to clinch a playoff spot. While Kyleigh Palmer scored her ninth of the season, it wasn't nearly enough to withstand a great 60-minute effort from the home team.
Kaylee Chanakos (Nanaimo, BC) was one of those graduating players who wanted an extra weekend of home games, and she led the way with a pair of second period goals, both coming on the power play. She had a chance at her first career hat trick, too, but her slap shot from the wing was denied by a pad save from Dee-Ana Marion.
“I saw it for three seconds, wide open,” said Chanakos, laughing. “Probably an inch higher and I would have had it.”
Chanakos was much more excited to talk about the home playoff series, though, something she wasn't sure she'd get to experience before she graduated.
“It's absolutely incredible after the last four seasons,” said Chanakos. “Especially rebounding from dead last in the country to hosting a playoff series. We're all elated about it.”
Kaitlin Imai (Coquitlam, BC), another senior, also scored, while
Tatiana Rafter (Winnipeg, MB) chipped in with her team-high 12
th goal of the year.
Nikola Brown-John (Monte Lake, BC) and
Sarah Casorso (Kelowna, BC) each helped out with a pair of assists. Casorso's points give her six in the past two games alone and make her the first skater to set a team record this season. She now has 13 points, more than any other defenceman in the program's history.
“I just heard about that,” said Casorso. “I think the team has just really come together in the last few games. Most of my points have been assists, so the real heroes are the scorers.”
Her achievement adds on to what has been a very successful season for the Thunderbirds, as they've set program records in wins (14) and goals scored (63).
Danielle Dube (Vancouver, BC) turned away 23 shots for her 10
th win of the season, also a program record.
The game was played at Protrans Arena, a smaller venue than the team's normal home at The Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre. It turned out to be an advantage for the Thunderbirds, who sold out the bleacher seats and had fans standing along the catwalk to watch. It made for a loud and exciting atmosphere, which the Thunderbirds hope will carry over to tomorrow as well.
“It was good, I liked the energy in there,” said head coach
Graham Thomas. “It helped the whole atmosphere. Hockey's hockey, and we'll play on any sheet against anybody.”
The teams will meet at Protrans Arena again tomorrow at 7 p.m., with Senior Night ceremonies taking place beforehand. While the Bison will try once again to clinch a playoff spot, UBC will be looking to keep pace with Regina, who the Thunderbirds can still catch for second place and a first-round playoff bye.
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