The Matchup
Riding an eight-game win streak, the UBC Thunderbirds women's hockey team (7-1-2-0) returns to action following a bye week hosting the Regina Cougars (5-4-1-0) Friday and Saturday, November 18th and 19th respectively, at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre. This weekend features the final home games for UBC before the mid-season Christmas break.
Ranked number one in the country, the T-Birds enter the weekend with a two-point lead over the Manitoba Bisons for first place in the Canada West, eight points ahead of fourth place Regina.
This weekend marks the first time the two teams have met since the T-Birds defeated the Cougars in three games in last year's Canada West semi-final.
Last Action
UBC earned a pair of wins in Lethbridge November 4th and 5th over the Pronghorns to extend their current win streak to eight games.
Kathleen Cahoon scored the overtime winner on the Saturday to complete her second career Canada West hat trick finishing with a four-point game.
The Cougars split their last weekend against the Alberta Pandas in Edmonton. Jane Kish made 37 saves on November 4
th in a 3-0 shutout win for Regina while Alberta earned a 4-2 win the following day snapping a three-game Cougars win streak.
By the Numbers
2 – The Thunderbirds lead the Canada West with a pair of overtime wins and are a perfect 2-0 past regulation so far this season.
128 – UBC has accumulated 128 penalty minutes through the first ten games of the season, second most in the Canada West. The T-Birds will need to remain disciplined against a strong Cougars power play.
Players to Watch
Cassandra Vilgrain (#91, F) – With three goals and 11 assists, Vilgrain's 14 points leads Canada West scoring. The fourth-year forward had a pair of assists in her last game while putting up an incredible 12 shots on goal.
Mathea Fischer (#26, F) – After competing with her native Norwegian national team at an international tournament in Europe, the T-Birds get a big boost to their offence with Fischer's return to the lineup. The second year forward has five points through seven games so far this season.
Coach's Take
UBC head coach
Graham Thomas, along with the entire team, is excited to get back to game action for the first time in two weeks against an opponent the T-Birds have a bit of history with.
"Regina's a good team, we have a bit of a rivalry with them and we're going to have to control our emotions and be disciplined, it should be another fun series," said Thomas. "They're all excited to get back with good energy, I don't think there will be any issue as far as momentum goes."
Even with an eight-game win streak the T-Birds are always looking to improve their game, especially when it comes to the power play.
"We want to continue to work on our special teams," said Thomas. "Our penalty kill has been good and our power play has been big for us in some games but we want it to be a bit more consistent."
