VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds (13-2-2) improved to 8-0 at Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre as they earned a convincing 5-1 victory over the Regina Cougars on Friday night. Cougars goalie Natalie Williamson faced a barrage of pucks, making 45 saves on 50 shots faced in the loss.

UBC's defensive depth was on full display as despite missing captain, Rylind Mackinnon (D), the T-Birds dominated play for long stretches. Four different defenders registered points in the game, including Ashton Thorpe who scored her first career U SPORTS goal on a point shot in the second period. Sierra LaPlante (1G), Kailee Peppler (1A), and Kennesha Miswaggon (1A) also found the scoresheet.



"Games like this where you're missing your captain, and it's a big hole back there, she plays a lot of minutes, for them to come and step in, in those games is huge." Said T-Birds Head Coach Graham Thomas on his young defenders stepping up.

Miswaggon served as a calming presence on UBC's back-end. The third-year made key plays to break-up Regina's rushes, particularly when the Cougars tried to build off of a 3^rd period goal.

"She's just such a great two-way player, the offensive output, the skating, the IQ, the toughness. Just an all-around complete player." Added Coach Thomas.

UBC controlled play from the opening whistle, but couldn't break the deadlock until 15:25 of the first period. T-Birds 2^nd Year Grace Elliott took a pass from Joelle Fiala and sniped a beauty from the high-slot for her fourth of the season. UBC's offence created space with a relentless forecheck, and strong possession numbers. Mia Bierd scored her 4^th of the season (also from the high slot), and Chanreet Bassi added a late 3rd period powerplay goal for her 5^th goal, and team-leading 15^th point.



It's been a tough season for the Regina Cougars (2-12-1), as they have now lost 10-straight games. No doubt, they will be hungry to get a win in Saturday's matchup, the last game of 2022 for either team.

"It's not easy, I feel for them going through that, at the same time we have goals and aspirations so that needs to continue to be our focus. That said, we got to respect our opponents, they're going to come out and they're going to go hard, they don't want to make it 11 on their end." Concluded Coach Thomas.

Puck drop is set for 3pm on Saturday afternoon at Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.