Edmonton, AB - For a second night in a row the UBC Thunderbirds women's hockey team was stunned by the Alberta Pandas, losing 3-0 Saturday evening in Edmonton. Despite losing back to back games for the first time this season UBC still retains top spot in the Canada West standings, but their record drops to 16-5-1 while the second-place Pandas improve to 14-5-3, just two points back of the Thunderbirds.
Despite a solid effort by UBC goaltender
Danielle Lemon between the pipes, Alberta kept their engine going all night and overwhelmed the 'Birds with speed, aggression, and confidence right through to the final buzzer.
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It appeared that the Thunderbirds were lacking their usual gusto, making sloppy plays and looking short on energy. Their lackluster performance gave Alberta an easy opportunity to capitalize upon – and that they did.
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Lemon stopped  27 of the 30 shots she faced, which kept Alberta from running away with it any further.
Montanna Noyes scored what would prove to be the game winning goal with 4:32 left in the opening period. The Thunderbirds could not counter, and after 20 minutes the score would remain 1-0. Shots were 8-5 for the home team.
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Alberta laid down the law in the second period while UBC generated few chances to even gain momentum against their tireless opponent. The Pandas had them outhustled on every puck and on every footrace, catching the 'Birds offguard on numerous odd-man rushes that put netminder
Danielle Lemon to the test.
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It only took the Pandas a few short minutes into that period to double up the score, converting on a man-advantage opportunity. They added another to the scoresheet at the halfway point to put UBC in a three goal hole. The period would come to a close with Alberta up 3-0; shots on goal were 11-6 in their favour.
Lemon continued to hold her own in the cage as the Pandas piled on the shots. A quick wraparound attempt almost put the Pandas up by another but Lemon was quick with her stick to not let that happen.
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A final breath of energy by the T-Birds late in the third came too late to salvage what was already lost, as the Pandas clinched the 3-0 shutout victory.
UBC went 0-for-4 on the power play, while Alberta finished 1-for-7.
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Alberta's Lindsey Post earned her league leading seventh shutout of the season, stopping all 18 shots she faced.
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Both teams have now clinched a playoff spot on the season.
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Next week the 'Birds will be back home as they will play host to Manitoba.
