VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds are one win away from the Canada West finals after securing a 2-1 victory in Game 1 of their series against the Alberta Pandas on Friday afternoon.
All scoring occurred in the third period with a jumbled play leading to the eventual game winner. UBC's Shaylee McConnell caused a turnover and threaded a pass to teammate
Jenna Fletcher in the slot. The Pandas prevented Fletcher from getting a clean shot away, but after a scramble ensued, the puck somehow ended up past UAlberta goaltender Halle Oswald anyway.
Fletcher's goal gave UBC a 2-0 lead with under 5 minutes remaining after
Kennesha Miswaggon opened the scoring early in the final frame. Miswaggon is a calming presence for the T-Birds, always in the right place defensively. But tonight, it was her offensive contribution that her team rallied behind.
"She's got some great offensive abilities and can play (a two-way game), she can be shutdown, she can be offensive so it's great to see her be rewarded for her hard work and it was a great play." Head Coach
Graham Thomas said of the 2
nd year player.
Home-ice advantage appeared to be a factor as the T-Birds embraced the playoff atmosphere, controlling much of the early play. Panda's goalie Halle Oswald stymied UBC's
Ireland Perrott, making a jaw dropping blocker save to keep the game scoreless in the first period. The Pandas found their legs in the second and third periods as a tight-checking matchup ensued.
Elise Hugens was sharp when she had to be, making key saves to keep her squad ahead in the third period. UAlberta's Natalie Kieser stepped out of the penalty box and right into a breakaway, but Hugens made a glove save on her fellow first year standout. A goal at that stage would have tied the game 1-1 and changed the outlook of the final minutes.
The Pandas made a late push as Payton Laumbach notched her third goal of the playoffs with 2:28 left in the game. UAlberta put UBC on their heels trying to tie the game in the dying seconds, but it was too little too late.
"If only we can get our mindset into that last 2 minutes of the game, playing with the sense of urgency that we did, I think good things can happen." said UAlberta Head Coach Howie Draper. The loss snapped a 6-game winning streak for the Pandas.
The T-Birds will attempt to end the best-of-three series with a victory on Saturday afternoon. UBC will have to match the desperation of a UAlberta opponent that faces elimination
"When we play desperate, we play hungry, we're at our best." said Coach Thomas.
Puck drop is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. PT at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre on Saturday afternoon.
Game 1 highlights:
