VANCOUVER - Less than 24 hours after 'banner night' the T-Birds had even more to celebrate, completing the weekend series sweep against the Manitoba Bisons thanks to a statement 6-2 win Saturday afternoon at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre. The T-Birds combined to outscore Manitoba 12-3 over the two-game set and now enjoy a 3-1 record to begin the Canada West campaign.
The start was less than ideal for the home team as a giveaway in their own zone, led to Aimee Patrick's gift of a goal to make it 1-0 Bisons early in the first frame. However,
Mackenzie Kordic quickly responded to even the score with a strong forecheck effort, and top-shelf finish past Bisons goalie Emily Shippam.
The Bisons would answer back restoring their lead as Julia Bird 'flew' in off-the-wing, snapping a low shot past UBC goalie,
Kate Stuart. The frantic pace would continue as it was the T-Birds turn to respond immediately with
Joelle Fiala and
Ashton Thorpe setting up Grace Elliot, who showed off her hand-eye on a tip goal past Shippam to even things at 2-2.
Although the game was tied, UBC's coaches were less than impressed with the first period effort, and told the 'Birds to pick it up. "This isn't our standard this isn't our game, and we just got to get back to playing our game, playing our identity." Said T-Birds Head Coach
Graham Thomas in reference to his message in between periods.
Unfortunately for the visiting Bisons, UBC opened the floodgates in the second period. Led by the first line of Grace Elliot,
Chanreet Bassi, and
Joelle Fiala, the attack was simply relentless. Fiala tipped home a point shot from
Sierra LaPlante to make it 3-2. Next, rookie
Jacquelyn Fleming potted her first career U SPORTS goal to extend the lead.
Shortly after it was
Mackenzie Kordic looking off a defender on a 3-on-1 before sniping a low blocker beauty. Kordic's second goal of the game also accounted for her first two points of the season.
"She was gripping her stick, gripping her stick, and she just was able to go out there and play a little bit freer and find a way to put the puck in the net today. That was a big game for her, and we needed that." Added Coach Thomas on Kordic's effort.
Manitoba did what they could to tilt the ice back in a favourable direction, but UBC simply did not let up.
Sierra LaPlante sniped a point shot top-shelf for 6-2 advantage and the eventual final score. The win has added significance as it's T-Birds' goalie
Kate Stuart's first U SPORTS victory, the fifth-year backstop is a Boston University transfer.
The Bisons return to home ice next weekend when they welcome the University of Regina. Meanwhile, UBC head on the road to face the University of Saskatchewan.
"Excited to go back, we always have great road trips there, great battles with U of S so it'll be a fun one." Commented Coach Thomas as the T-Birds title defending season continues in Saskatoon. Catch the game at 6:00 p.m. PT, on Canada West TV.
