VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds wrapped up their pre-season by dropping an 8-4 decision to the Vanke Rays, a professional CWHL team based out of Shenzhen, China. The loss ended a weeklong tournament that saw the 'Birds square off against Vanke, the Kunlun Red Star of the CWHL, the Chinese National Team and Team BC.
 
Former Clarkson University standout Cayley Mercer had four points for Vanke, while Cassandra Vilgrain was dangerous all night and scored once for UBC, while Hannah Clayton-Carroll recorded two assists.
 
Despite UBC winning only once in the five game tournament, UBC head coach Graham Thomas feels playing against professional level players will serve the 'Birds well in their Canada West season opener this Friday against the Manitoba Bisons.


 
"We wanted to challenge ourselves," explained Thomas. "This was national championship and then some level of competition. We went through a lot of adversity and learning things. We have a new group with a lot of young players and if we didn't challenge ourselves with this kind of schedule we wouldn't be where we need to be to start the season."
 
UBC hit the scoreboard first when freshman Jenna Fletcher pounced on a loose puck in close and fired it into the top of the Vanke net.
 
The Rays drew even in the final minute of the first period when Ashleigh Brykaluk, undressed the Thunderbird defender before roofing a wrist shot over Amelia Boughn's glove.
 
Vanke took control in a second period with a power-play goal, two even strength markers and a short-handed tally. All the goals came within the first 10:02 of the second frame and gave the visitors from China a 5-1 lead.
 
UBC got one back when Cassandra Vilgrain fired a seeing eye shot from high slot, with Emily Costales creating havoc in front of the Vanke net. Vilgrain came close to scoring almost immediately after the ensuing face-off. A beautiful toe drag culminated with a laser-like wrist shot, but the puck bounced off the post behind the Vanke goalie.


 
"It's a privilege to be part of games like this," said Vilgrain. "We played them (Team China) last year and to see their progress is amazing and now we get to watch and cheer for a new team. I love to do it."
 
Vanke would put three goals past UBC goalie Tori Micklash in the third, including Webster's second of the night.  Shay-Lee McConnell and Ireland Perrott, two of the UBC freshman expected to play big roles on the 2017-18 'Birds, replied with goals of their own.
 
"I think we finished really strong," added Vilgrain. "Our focus this year is just the process. We are not looking ahead like we need to win every single game. It's about how we implement our systems we've been working on and make every game an improvement."
 
The Thunderbirds will get the chance to continue 'the process' when they open their Canada West regular season opens against Manitoba on Friday night at 7pm inside the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.