EDMONTON - Fifth-year forward Amy Boucher scored the shootout winner, giving the Alberta Pandas a 2-1 win over the UBC Thunderbirds Saturday afternoon at Clare Drake Arena to earn the weekend split.

Alex Poznikoff scored the Pandas only goal in regulation in the second period, while rookie netminder Halle Oswald made 12 saves for her sixth win. Rylind MacKinnon scored for UBC, while Mathea Fischer was the only T-Bird to score in the shootout. 

With the win, the Pandas remain atop Canada West with a 12-4-4-0 record, while UBC falls to 9-4-3-4.

The Birds falls 2-1 in a shootout vs the UofA Pandas to earn the weekend split. Rylind MacKinnon scored UBC's lone regulation goal and Mathea Fischer scored with a nasty dangle in the shootout.  

Check out the highlights from tonights action  ??????#gobirdsgo @ubctbirds pic.twitter.com/VKG32HMZri

— UBC Women's Hockey (@UBCWHKY) January 13, 2019

Similar to Friday night's loss, the Pandas outshot UBC heavily once again on Saturday, including a 7-2 edge after the first period. UBC starter Tory Micklash was once again stellar, however, easily turning aside all seven shots. She finished the game with 28 saves, allowing just one goal all weekend on 55 shots. 

Poznikoff broke the scoreless game midway through the second period, finishing off a solo shorthanded rush by ripping a shot over Micklash's short side. 

But it didn't take long for UBC to even the game at one, as MacKinnon beat Oswald on the power play just three minutes later. 

The third period was incredibly even, with the two teams managing just seven shots. 

The Pandas easily had more chances to win the game in overtime, but Micklash was sensational, making a handful of game-saving stops.

Fischer gave UBC a 1-0 edge in the shootout before Micklash stopped Poznikoff's attempt. Kezama roofed a snap-shot over Micklash to tie the shootout at 1-1, before Boucher scored the winner in the third round.

"I'm proud of how our team grew and came together this weekend," said UBC head coach Graham Thomas after taking four out of a possible six points from the No. 2 ranked Pandas. "We came up a little short but I'm very encouraged with our effort and team play. We need to keep striving to get better every day and keep building." 

The first-place Pandas will battle the Mount Royal Cougars next weekend in a home-and-home series while UBC will return to Alberta for a series in Calgary against the Dinos.