EDMONTON – It took 107 minutes for the only goal of the game as the Alberta Pandas earned a 1-0 win over the UBC Thunderbirds in game one of the Canada West semifinal in triple overtime Friday afternoon at Clare Drake Arena.
Pandas defenceman Taylor Anker scored with 2:59 left in triple overtime, marking the fifth longest game in Canada West history and the longest game in T-Birds history.
Kirsten Chamberlin earned her third career playoff shutout stopping all 28 T-Bird shots through seven periods.
Across the rink, UBC's
Tory Micklash was stellar, making 47 saves. The lone goal ended a remarkable shutout streak at 257:57.
The Pandas outscored the Thunderbirds 18-1 in in their four previous meetings earlier this season, including 7-1 and 7-0 blowouts back in October. However, this post season match up was not reflective of the start of the year as both teams found themselves in the longest scoreless game in conference history.
UBC entered the semifinals after defeating the third-seed Saskatchewan Huskies with two overtime wins in last weekend's quarter-finals match-up.
The first few periods of play to open the best-of-three semifinal on Friday consisted of fast, back-and-forth play with both team exchanging chances, but neither were able to convert.
Anker was finally able to light the lamp on the power play for the home side, walking in from the top of the circle and outwaiting Micklash before sending the puck top shelf for the game winner.
The Thunderbirds now face elimination for the first time this post-season as they'll look to force a third and deciding game while hoping to advance to the Canada West final for the first time since 2017.
Both teams will need all the rest they can muster before puck drop in game two which is set for Saturday at 1:00 p.m. PT.
