VANCOUVER – Despite a two-goal comeback, the UBC Thunderbirds Women's Hockey team fell 3-2 to the visiting Manitoba Bisons on Friday night at Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre in a tight affair.

Trailing by two late in the second period, UBC captain Kenzie Robinson scored shorthanded with just seconds remaining in the frame to get the home opener crowd on their feet and the T-Birds (2-1) some positive momentum heading into the third.

Jenna Fletcher tied the game 2-2 when she pounced on a rebound, but the Bisons (3-0) scored what turned out to be the game winner on a Halle Edwards penalty shot at the 7:17 mark of the third.



"I figured we would be under pressure to start the game, this is a tough team to play in that building and I thought our girls held the fort," said Bisons Head Coach Jon Rempel post game. "Our third period was excellent, we felt more comfortable as the game went on, we buckled down and stuck to our system to win."

The Thunderbirds fired 11 shots at the Bisons' net in the opening frame, and despite a strong opening period, the game remained scoreless.

Samantha Sichkaruk gifted the Bisons an early second period lead as she deposited a chance in front into a yawning UBC cage, just 47 seconds in.



8:02 later, the visitors doubled their lead through a Halle Edwards left wing shot that took a wicked deflection and bested Reece Hiddleston in the 'Birds' net.

However late in the middle frame, with a Thunderbird in the box for cross-checking, Robinson broke in shorthanded, scoring a highlight reel goal to make it 2-1. It was the T-Bird captain's second of the year, and the Bisons' third shorthanded goal conceded on the young season.
 

?? WHKY | @UBCWHKY gets a huge goal from captain Kenzie Robinson in the final minute of the 2nd to get the 'Birds within one with 20 minutes to go! #GoBirdsGo pic.twitter.com/Q7bE060CJE

— UBC Thunderbirds (@ubctbirds) October 23, 2021

Three minutes into the third it was the home side's chance to capitalize on a weird play, as a shot from the left point squeaked through Bisons goalie Erin Fargey and fell kindly into the blue paint where Fletcher cashed in her second of the season to tie it 2-2.

In this back-and-forth affair, it was Manitoba that would find the winning goal despite a strong effort from the 'Birds, as Edwards was awarded a penalty shot midway through the third making no mistake for her second goal of the game.

Despite a flurry of late UBC rushes, the visitors held on for the victory.

The rematch goes Saturday back at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre with a 1 p.m. PT puck drop. You can tune into the action live on Canada West TV, or in person by reserving tickets in advance.