Minneapolis, Minnesota - In order to prepare for the Canada West regular season beginning next week, the UBC women's hockey team travelled to Minnesota in search of challenging competition. And on Friday night in Minneapolis, that is precisely what they confronted.
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers – the two-time NCAA defending champions – blanked the T-Birds 7-0 in the first of four exhibition games that UBC will play south of the border. With the victory the Gophers extende their winning streak to 50 games, dating back to the 2011-12 season.
Minnesota head coach Brad Frost saluted the 'Birds for "pushing back" with quickness in the second period after the Gophers score four goals before the first intermission.
The game-winning goal for Minnesota arrived in the eighth minute of the first period by Gopher Kate Schipper.
The Thunderbirds were outshot by their opponent 59-9, but UBC goaltender
Danielle Dube made an astounding 52 saves by the end of three periods. Minnesota finished 2-for-4 on the man advantage, while UBC 0-for-2, managing one shot combined on the two power plays.
The Thunderbirds will hit the ice again tomorrow to face St. Cloud State. The puck drops at 5:00 pm (PST)
