EDMONTON — The University of Alberta Pandas sent the rest of Canada West a message in the opening weekend of the season.

Stay out of the penalty box, or they'll make you pay.

The reigning Canada West champions scored three power play goals en route to a 7-0 victory over the UBC Thunderbirds, Saturday afternoon at Clare Drake Arena.

In Alberta's weekend sweep of the T-Birds, Alberta scored seven power play goals, while scoring 14 goals total in two games. 

Fifth-year forward Autumn MacDougall recorded her 100th career point in a four-point effort (one goal, three assists), while her linemates Alex Poznikoff and rookie Madison Willan also recorded four-point games. Kennedy Ganser, Chelsea Dearsley and Danielle Hardy rounded out the scoring for Alberta.

Second-year goaltender Halle Oswald recorded just nine saves for her sixth career shutout.

"That's our goal and objective every time we play a team. We want to show them we're here to compete and they're in for a tough game," said Pandas head coach Howie Draper.

"I was really happy. I felt we got better as the weekend went on in all the aspects of the game."

Alberta showed this weekend, their offence is not just potent, it can strike quickly. After Willan opened the scoring midway through the opening period, the Pandas scored two more markers just 2:33 later to jump out to a 3-0 lead.

Alberta put the game away just eight seconds into the second period with another power play marker on MacDougall's first of the contest.

Dearsley scored her first career Canada West goal midway through the second period when her shot from the slot beat T-Birds goaltender Tory Micklash over the blocker for the 5-0 lead.

The third-year Pandas forward also chipped in with an assist in the victory.

"We lacked a little bit of that explosive scoring ability last year. We have more depth and we have players now that in the past maybe had a different role, but now they're more confident getting pucks on next and putting them away," said Draper.

"We always compete and that brings me a lot of pride. I'm in awe of some of the passes and plays that this team has the ability to do. But it's not just that. They're gritty, they're committed to blocking shots and doing all the little things."

The 2-0 Pandas travel to Saskatoon next weekend (Oct.11-12) to face the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. The T-Birds meanwhile, will look to rebound in their home opening weekend hosting the Calgary Dinos beginning with game one Friday, October 12 at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbirds Sports Centre with a 7 p.m. puck drop.