Calgary, AB -
Stephanie Schaupmeyer kept UBC's Canada West title hopes alive scoring 19 seconds into double overtime to give the Thunderbirds a 5-4 victory over the Calgary Dinos, sending the best of three Canada West final to a third and deciding game.
Schaupmeyer who was forced to watch game one from the stands due to injury, played hero Saturday night scoring the biggest goal of her young career to keep this cinderella season going for the Thunderbirds.
Danielle Dube deserves equal credit in net, keeping her team in the game all night, stopping 35 of the 39 shots she faced.
"This is the way we like to do it," said UBC head coach
Graham Thomas. "For whatever reason we want to make it as exciting as possible. Once again we found a way to come through and get a huge win."
UBC thought they had the game winner with 3:16 left in regulation when
Sarah Casorso jumped up in the rush to score her first goal of the playoffs; however, Calgary would get the equalizer with an extra attacker on the ice, Melissa Zubick beat Dube with 46 seconds left to send the game into overtime.
"You would think giving up a late goal would have deflated us, but nobody on our bench got down after Calgary scored in the final minute," said Thomas. "We wanted to win so bad, these girls knew they could get it done in overtime."
Unlike Friday's game, UBC took full advantage of their opportunities, scoring five goals on 16 shots. Twice they led by two goals, but the Dinos were able to hang tough. The Thunderbirds went up 2-0 6:04 into the opening period as
Nicole Saxvik and
Cailey Hay scored just six seconds apart. For Saxvik, it was her playoff leading fifth goal of the post season. Calgary would get on the board on the power play before the period was out courtesy of Erika Mitschke to cut the lead to 2-1 through 20 minutes of play.
Midway through the second period
Tatiana Rafter once again extended the 'Birds lead to two goals scoring her fifth of the playoffs to put UBC in front 3-1. Dube was lights out in the second period stopping 15 shots including Hayley Wickenheiser point blank. Unfortunately she gave up a goal late in the period she probably would like to have back to once again make it a one goal. 3-2 was the score after 40 minutes.
Jenna Smith tied the game at 3-3 4:50 into the third period before both teams traded late goals in the third to send the game to extra time.
Schaupmeyer, Rafter, and Saxvik are now tied for the playoff scoring lead with 10 points so far this season. Very impressive for the two rookies, Schaupmeyer and Saxvik.
"The heart and hunger of this team is unbelievable," said Thomas. "Whether it's blocking shots or battling on every shift, the character of our group shines through time and time again. They are so focused on winning and the idea of bringing home a Canada West trophy and banner pushes them every single day."
Iya Gavrilova had three points for a second straight night and she too is tied with 10 points in the playoffs.
UBC went 1-for-2 on the power play, while Calgary finished 1-for-5. Final shots were 38-16 for the Dinos.
Both teams will have little time to rest up for game three which is set for 3:00 pm PST tomorrow in Calgary at Father David Bauer Arena. Of course UBC and Calgary have already booked their ticket to the CIS Nationals beginning March 7 in Toronto.
"We like our chances in a one game winner take all," said Thomas. "We will not go down without a fight."
