VANCOUVER – In a game full of special teams play, the UBC Thunderbirds utilized an even strength goal midway through the second period to defeat the visiting Manitoba Bisons 1-0 on Saturday afternoon at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.
The best chance in the first period for the Bisons (2-6-0-0) came off some nice offensive zone cycling on a power play. Halle Edwards received a nice pass from the corner and went in on Thunderbirds netminder Tory Micklash, but the veteran goaltender made the save to keep it scoreless, one of 17 saves on the afternoon as she completed her third shutout of the season.
Going into the second period scoreless but leading in shots, UBC (4-2-0-2) would come out flying after the break looking for the opening goal of the game.
Rookie
Chanreet Bassi caused a turnover at the Manitoba blue line and
Kenzie Robinson skated in to help her out. After a scramble at the blue line, Robinson sped down the wing and fired a shot that was initially denied by Amanda Schubert, but
Ashley McFadden poked home the loose puck for her second of the season at the 13:29 mark.
A couple huge saves by Micklash on Manitoba captain Jordyn Zacharias on a power play ensured UBC would escape the second up 1-0.
The visitors would put some pressure on the 'Birds to open the third, but the home team did well to deny any real clear cut chances. With eight minutes to go, the Thunderbirds got into some penalty trouble, and were forced to kill off a four-minute power play. The Bisons threw everything at the net, but a well set up penalty kill blocked everything that was directed towards the goal.
"The key was to stick to the plan, while waiting for our chance to capitalize and we did that," said UBC head coach Graham Thomas. "Our penalty killing and shot blocking were huge, I thought we did an excellent job of stepping up and not letting them faze us."
The win extends UBC's point streak to six games while the 'Birds swept their first weekend series of the season. The T-Birds head out on the road next weekend to face the Saskatchewan Huskies Friday and Saturday at Merlis Belsher Place. Manitoba will enjoy a bye week before returning home November 8th and 9th to face the Regina Cougars.
