VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds offence exploded with six goals in the second period alone en route to an 8-0 thumping of the visiting Trinity Western Spartans Saturday night at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.
Led off by Jenna Fletcher's first of the season just 1:56 into the middle frame, Chanreet Bassi scored twice, Rylind MacKinnon, Emily Moore, Ireland Perrott, Mackenzie Kordic, and Sophia Gaskell all found the back of the net while rookie goaltender Elise Hugens earned her first Canada West win and shutout making 13 saves.
"A game like today really helps with our confidence and knowing we can put pucks in the net," said UBC Head Coach Graham Thomas following the dominant effort. "2-1 and 3-1 were the last two games against them so it's not like we were filling the net consistently against them so this was good for our group."
15 different skaters found the scoresheet, while Bassi (2G, 1A) and
Shay-Lee McConnell (3A) both had a three point night as the Thunderbirds (2-0) scored eight for the first time since an 8-0 win over Mount Royal in October of 2014.
Down 6-0 through two periods, the rough night for the Spartans (0-2) only continued in the third as Kordic scored her second of the season just 85 seconds in. Gaskell put the final puck past Kate Fawcett at the 10:57 mark for her first as a Thunderbirds.
UBC finished the game 1-for-3 on the power play while killing off their lone minor penalty of the contest which came late in the third.
"We built off our third period from last night with our pressure and puck possession and we were just a little bit hungrier today and more confident," said Thomas of his team which provided a complete effort Saturday night. "It just seemed like every shift we were getting stronger and stronger and we just stuck to the process and didn't get frustrated."
The game marked the first Canada West home action for the T-Birds since February, 2020, providing for an emotional return.
"It was amazing. Playing at the Doug, playing in front of our friends and family, it was amazing to be a part of and I think everyone was feeding off that excitement."
The Thunderbirds remain at home next weekend when they put their perfect start to the test against the visiting Manitoba Bisons for a two game series beginning Friday night at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.
