VANCOUVER – Regina Cougars goaltender Arden Kliewer will have plenty of well-earned puck marks on her gear after turning aside 40 shots in a 2-1 victory over the T-Birds Friday night at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.
The first-year goalie saved her best for last as she made a sequence of staggering saves in the dying seconds to close out the win, clinching a playoff berth for the Cougars in the process.
Despite dominating puck possession and shot attempts, the T-Birds were bested by a pair of goals from Regina forward Jordan Kulbida.
"One of those games, they're hungry, their goalie played a great game, it's going to happen sometimes," said UBC Head Coach Graham Thomas. "41 shots, probably 60 or 70 shot attempts and we only got one goal, so we have to find ways to score. But really happy with a lot of parts of the game, we managed the puck well, pushed it up the ice, did a lot of good things in the game."
Trailing 1-0 at the start of the third period, UBC snatched momentum to start the final frame. Mackenzie Kordic kept the puck on a 2-on-1 rush and escorted it past Kliewer to tie the game up.
However, the intensity between the two Canada West rivals resulted in a parade of penalties with UBC taking three in succession.
The T-Birds penalty kill was locked in, getting in shooting lanes and not giving the Cougars players a lot of open looks. Jenna Fletcher received stick taps from her bench for being a shot-blocking machine on the PK.
However, the Cougars eventually found an opening with Jordyn Kulbida launching a rocket of a one-timer top shelf past Elise Hugens. The fourth-year player's second goal of the game would stand as the eventual game winner.
A chance at redemption is immediate for the T-Birds as they close out the regular season against Regina Saturday afternoon.
Although they lost Friday night, the T-Birds can still secure second place and a bye to the Canada West semifinals with a win in the final contest of the campaign.
"It's a must-win tomorrow," added Thomas. "We're confident in our group and what we can bring tomorrow, we're excited to get back at it."
Saturday's season finale will also pay tribute to UBC's four graduating seniors in Jenna Fletcher, Shay-Lee McConnell, Emily Moore, and captain Kenzie Robinson.
Puck drop at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre is set for 3:00 p.m. PT. Tickets are available for free but must be reserved in advance. The game will also be streamed live on Canada West TV.
Game highlights:
