VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds women's hockey team suffered their second loss of the preseason Saturday night, falling 5-1 against the Montreal Carabins. The contest was the second of a three-game invitational tournament hosted by Queen's in Kingston, Ont.
 
As exhibition games are wont to do, the loss highlighted areas the 'Birds needed to improve upon before beginning the season proper in October. The first period featured an unfavourable imbalance of shots on goal, with the Carabins racking up 15 and the T-Birds collecting five. Out of the barrage from Montreal came two goals, both on the power play. UBC suffered two minor penalties in the first frame, each resulting in a goal forcing them into the second down 2-0.
 
Before the Thunderbirds had much of a chance to bounce back, Montreal netted their third of the game on their first shot off in the second period. Despite four power play opportunities – two of which overlapped, resulting in a 1:43 two-man advantage – UBC was unable to hit the back of the net. The second frame ended with the Carabins leading 3-0, with nine more shots on goal than the 'Birds.
 
Two goals in the third all but quashed UBC's hopes, but they would not go quietly into the night without a lesson learned. With 10 seconds remaining in the game, third-year forward Nicole Saxvik (North Vancouver) took advantage of a power play, weaving throughout the crowded ice as both goaltenders had been pulled. Teaming up with fellow forward Logan Boyd (Waterdown, Ont.) and defenceman Celine Tardif (Parksville, B.C.), the trio earned the T-Birds their first and only tally of the game. Overall, the Carabins were 2-for-6 on the power play, and UBC was 1-for-7.
 
The Thunderbirds look to sharpen up tomorrow as they rise early for their final game of the preseason invitational against McGill. Last season UBC finished No. 7 overall in the CIS Top 10 and McGill was No. 1.