VANCOUVER - On Thursday night at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre, the UBC Thunderbirds women's hockey team got a taste for international competition as they played host to the Kazakhstan women's national team. After 60 minutes, the T-Birds came away with a 6-0 win over the visitors, having dominated the play for much of the game.

BOX SCORE



Commenting after the game, UBC head coach Graham Thomas was happy with the end result, noting that despite starting off slow, his team eventually settled into playing what he referred to as their "Thunderbird brand of hockey" in the second period. It was evident that as the game went on, the team played in a more united fashion and less as individuals – an improvement that was reflected quite explicitly on the scoresheet.

Thomas also stated that the team still needed to work on their power play moving forward, and in anticipation for tomorrow's game against the Under-18 Team BC squad, he emphasized their need to raise their game to be successful against BC's youth elite.

Despite UBC's advantage on the ice, not all was bad for Kazakhstan: the national team was backed by cheers from a spirited crowd of Kazakhstani fans who kept their national players motivated throughout the three periods.

Although the Thunderbirds launched into the game with a quick offensive push involving a pass from Christi Capozzi to Emily O'Neill whose shot went just wide of the net, UBC had a slow first period. The 'Birds struggled to capitalize on a number of scoring chances and powerplay advantages even as they contained the puck to Kazakhstan's zone for much of the 20 minutes.

But with four minutes left in the opening period, UBC finally found the back of the net as a play from O'Neill to Devon Morrison put the puck on the stick of Sarah Casorso, whose shot from the blue line tucked neatly between the goalie's pads and the post.

Kazakhstan responded swiftly with a fast rush by Meruyert Ryspek, who cut through the UBC defence before wristing a hard shot off the post.

A shot from the blueline by Galiya Nurgaliyeva of Kazakhstan brought UBC to attention to commence the second period, but Thunderbirds netminder Samantha Langford masterfully snatched up the high shot with ease.

UBC's next goal came from Nicole Saxvik, whose quick shot squeezed through the goalie's pads and across the goal line following a smart pass by Stephanie Schaupmeyer.

Soon after, Rebecca Unrau almost got on the scoresheet as the forward deaked Kazakhstan goalie Tatyana Mozhayeva only to have the puck bounce off the goaltender's pads.

But Unrau would find herself a point as she scooped a pass from Morrison over the shoulder of Mozhayeva and into the top left corner of the net.

Another scoring opportunity came from a shot by defender Stephanie Payne, which rose up into the top corner of the net but was blocked briskly by the shoulder of Mozhayeva.

Seemingly reenergized following the second intermission, the T-Birds came out of the gates flying. Singles from Hannah Heisler and Haneet Parhar, and a second goal from Casorso carried UBC away with the win as Kazakhstan fumbled with the puck and failed to muster up much offensive opportunity.

Ryspek and Zarina Tukhtiyeva, however, were standouts on Kazakhstan, each initiating a couple rushes that ultimately their team could unfortunately not finish.

UBC's coach Thomas commended Kazakhstan's work ethic and goalie Mozhayeva for a strong game, having made 42 saves by the end of 60 minutes.

Tomorrow the Thunderbirds hit the ice against the province's elite U18 Team BC at 6 p.m., a game that Thomas believes will be a good matchup and an opportunity for both teams to benefit from the challenge. This will be UBC's last home game until they return from their four-game road trip to Minnesota, after which regular season play will commence.