VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds women's hockey team got a taste of Olympic competition in an exhibition game against the Japanese national squad in Minneapolis on Sunday.
Despite falling 4-1 to the Olympic-qualified Japanese team, the game served as a learning experience for the T-Birds and not least as great competitive preparation for their regular season beginning this upcoming Friday.
Head coach
Graham Thomas described the matchup as a good game, and commended goalie
Danielle Lemon for her "very solid effort" in net with 35 saves.
UBC's lone goal came from
Nicole Saxvik, assisted by
Tatiana Rafter, and the T-Birds would register 29 shots on net.
With ten minutes remaining in the third, the Thunderbirds were in close reach of Japan, who led by only a goal. But late in the third Japan pulled ahead, tallying time goals despite some close chances for UBC. Time would run out on the T-Birds and the Olympic team would come away with the win at the end of 60 minutes.
Team Japan will continue their preparation for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, where they will be one of six teams competing for a podium spot and the coveted Olympic gold.
The Thunderbirds will face their final opponent of the trip today versus Minnesota State, where the 'Birds will seek to improve on their 0-3-0 roadtrip record.
Game time is 5 p.m. (PT). Live video:
http://www3.mnsu.edu/athletics/
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