Vancouver, BC - In their final home game of the regular season, the UBC Thunderbirds seized a 4-1 victory over the Mount Royal Cougars Saturday afternoon at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.
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The 'Birds improve to 20-5-1 on the season, earning their fourth straight win that came as a result of a steady momentum, a consistent effort, and the sound play of netminder
Danielle Lemon. She stopped 29 of 30 shots on the afternoon to secure her fifth win of the season. UBC finishes the regular season 13-0-1 on home ice.
After
Hannah Heisler gave UBC the early 1-0 lead in the first period, the 'Birds picked up the pace in the second frame, jumping to a 3-0 lead. Just past the midway mark
Nikola Brown-John lasered a low shot from the blue line that slid cleanly through Mount Royal goaltender Jess Ross. Then just over a minute later at 11:59,
Nicole Saxvik scored her 10th goal of the season, demonstrating expert patience to find the open net.Â
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Trailing by three and desperate to keep their dwindling playoff hopes alive, the Cougars managed a goal halfway through the third period to make it 3-1. But, ultimately the T-Birds muscled a 4-1 win after
Nikola Brown-John nabbed an empty-net goal for her second of the day.
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Ross suffered the loss for Mount Royal, making 22 saves.
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UBC saw success on one of four powerplay opportunities, while Mount Royal was unable to capitalize on any of their four chances.
The Thunderbirds now have just two games remaining on their regular season schedule next weekend in Saskatchewan. They remain in first place in the Canada West with 41 points, but Alberta and the Huskies are still within striking distance. Entering today's play the Pandas were just two points back, while Saskatchewan sat three points off the pace.
In a ceremony before puckdrop, the T-Birds honoured graduating players
Christi Capozzi,
Nadine Burgess, and
Kelsey Halvorson.
"This win was a great way to celebrate five years; the team really came together tonight and played a full 60 minutes – couldn't have asked for a better last regular season home game," said UBC captain
Christi Capozzi. "The coaching staff and all the girls have been amazing; they are what have made this last season so special. Today's game was a great building game and we just look to keep getting better from here on out."Â
"Today was a great way for our younger players and the rest of our team to send off [us] seniors and a good way to go into Saskatchewan with a good fire and motivation to continue on to get some more wins," said Halvorson.
"It was nice to be a part of a game in which everyone on the ice contributed in their own way. I'm really gonna miss this team next year, from the rookies to my fellow super seniors. Halvorson, Capozzi, and I all really felt the love," said Burgess.
