VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds women's hockey team came out on top in the first of two weekend matches against the Calgary Dinos (1-4) with an impressive 4-0 win. The game marked UBC's most commanding victory and second shutout of the regular season. The win lifted the 'Birds to a season-high three-game win streak and brought their season record total to 3-2-0.
 
Both teams had five power play opportunities, but it was the Thunderbirds who took full advantage, scoring two of their four goals with the man-advantage. A solid performance from UBC goaltender Samantha Langford (Pense, Sask.), who secured her second shutout in three games, buoyed her team with her play on the five penalty kills.  
 
A quiet first period ended with a 1-0 Thunderbirds lead. Following a penalty to Calgary's Heather Berzins for cross checking, UBC's Kathleen Cahoon (Calgary), playing in front of a hometown crowd, netted her first goal of the season.
 
The Thunderbirds put pressure on the Dinos early in the second period. Again on the power play, Shiayli Toni (Saskatoon, Sask.) made a D-to-D pass along the blue line to Cailey Hay (Oakbank, Man.), who fired a shot on net, Dowling made the initial save but Nicole Saxvik (North Vancouver) was there to put in the rebound, for her second goal of the season.
 
Making use of rebounds, Stephanie Schaupmeyer (Kelowna, B.C.) snuck one past Dowling five-hole after Rebecca Unrau's (Humboldt, Sask.) shot was stopped at 12:34, adding an insurance goal.
 
For the remainder of the second period UBC took a trio of penalties, supplying the Dinos with their own opportunities to take advantage on the power play. Despite some good chances and six minutes of power play, Calgary was unable to find a way past Langford.
 
In the third, The Dino's were given two more 5-on-4 chances to nab their first goal, but again were unsuccessful. Calgary pulled goaltender Dowling with nearly five minutes left, but the bold strategy didn't pay off. UBC's Katie Zinn (Coquitlam, B.C.) fed a pass to Cahoon who found the open net for her second goal of the game.
 
While there won't be much time to regroup, the Dinos will have a chance at redemption when they again face off against the Thunderbirds on Saturday. The game commences at 1 p.m. (PT) in Calgary.