CALGARY - The UBC Thunderbirds (7-3-0-0) got the bounce back win they were looking for with a hard-fought 2-1 win over the Mount Royal Cougars (3-8-0-0) Friday night at the Flames Community Arenas.

The T-Birds started the game with high momentum and energy, being lively on the bench and a nuisance to the hosting Cougars.

UBC were the more mobile and effective team in the first period, breaking in the MRU zone with ease and controlling most of the game with effective puck possession.

The Cougars resorted to playing an absorbent style of defence and held the Thunderbirds back until the 10:46 mark of the opening frame when Cassandra Vilgrain tucked a wraparound past goalie Zoe DeBeauville to give her side the first lead of the game with her first on the season.

The Thunderbirds were then robbed of a sure second goal by DeBeauville just minutes later. Kathleen Cahoon collected the puck behind the MRU net and duelled off against DeBeauville at the top of the crease. Walking around the stunned MRU net-minder, Cahoon attempted to tuck the puck in on the far side but a down-and-out DeBeauville slapped her paddle down for one of her 20 saves on the night.

MRU couldn't generate much in the offensive end, forcing a mere three shots on goal in the first period. 



Vilgrain's marker was the only goal of the period giving her side the advantage heading into the first break.

The second period saw the Cougars use the break to their advantage coming flying out of the gate looking like a different team. MRU earned themselves an early five-on-three power play but failed to capitalize despite adding pressure deeper into the man-advantage. 

The huge penalty kill swung the momentum for the T-Birds, who scored 9:11 into the second frame. An MRU turnover proved costly as UBC doubled their lead. Cahoon got some revenge on the Cougars defence forcing a turnover and setting up Hannah Clayton-Carroll who walked in on the glove side of DeBeauville and chipped her shot bar-down for her fifth of the year.

Down 2-0 after 40 minutes, MRU showed more signs of life in the third.

Once again, MRU landed the first jab, springing a two-on-one but Nicolette Sepper who elected to shoot, was denied by a cool Amelia Boughn who stopped 21 on the night for the Thunderbirds.

Moments later the Cougars clipped the Thunderbird lead to one. Kennedy Bozek netted her first on the year after Megan Carver, who carved her way into the zone, was stopped on a two-on-one at the 1:47 mark.

MRU got themselves another five-on-three but again failed to score with Boughn being the sole cause for the T-Birds gripping onto their game.

"We played well as a team, our forecheck really helped out keep the puck in their end, practicing offence all week payed off so that was nice," Clayton-Carroll stated after the game. "Really digging in and battling through helped us out in the end of the game, we expect a more cleaner game tomorrow,"

The Cougars turned on the heat too little too late as UBC held on for the 2-1 win improving their record to 7-4-0-0 while MRU look to bounce back tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m. PT for the rubber match.