EDMONTON – The No. 5 UBC Thunderbirds (14-5-5-3) needed overtime for the third time in the last four games but came out on top with a 3-2 win over the No. 2 Alberta Pandas (13-5-5-4) Friday Night at Clare Drake Arena.
The game was the third-straight decided in overtime this season between the two teams, with Friday night giving UBC a 2-1 edge in wins. The win also moved UBC two points ahead of Alberta for second in the Canada West, but thanks to a Saskatchewan regulation win over Mount Royal, the Huskies are tied with the 'Birds for the second and final quarter-final bye heading into the final day of the regular season.
Kenzie Robinson scored twice for UBC while
Kathleen Cahoon scored the game-winner 3:42 into the first overtime period. Thunderbird starter
Tory Micklash stopped 20 of the 22 shots she faced earning her 13th win of the season. Lindsay Weech and Lisa Lloyd were the only Pandas to beat Micklash in the series opener.
In easily the most important game for both sides this season, Friday night's battle opened as expected, an incredibly tight-checking contest between two of the conference's best teams. UBC and Alberta combined for just nine shots in the first with each team finding the scoresheet once. Weech opened scoring midway through the opening frame beating Micklash on a floater from the point.
Robinson leveled the game with just three seconds left in the period, squeaking one past Panda goaltender Dayna Owen for her second of the season.
Neither team was able to take control of the game in the second as both teams exchanged chances in an incredibly tight period. Robinson gave UBC their first lead scoring shorthanded midway through the frame on a slap shot from the slot.
Down by one heading into the third, it didn't take long for Alberta to tie the game once again. Lloyd scored just 19 seconds into the third with her second of the season. The goal seemed to spark Alberta who were easily the better team in the final frame, but couldn't find the go-ahead goal despite outshooting UBC 8-2.
The lack of finish came back to haunt Alberta as UBC earned the massive two points off a Cahoon deflection 3:42 into the first overtime.
The Pandas and Thunderbirds will finish their regular season tomorrow, with a 1:00 p.m. PT start time scheduled for Clare Drake Arena. The 'Birds need to earn one more point than Saskatchewan Saturday in order to secure the coveted quarter-final bye with the Huskies holding the tie-breaker over UBC.
