SASKATOON, Sask. – Two of the top teams in Canada West essentially played to a draw over a weekend series in Saskatchewan, as the UBC Thunderbirds (11-0-1-2) fell to the Huskies (9-3-1-1) 2-1 in a shootout on Saturday, after winning 2-1 in a shootout the night before.
THE HIGHLIGHTS
* With five powerplay opportunities in the first period (three for Huskies, two for Thunderbirds), neither team was able to capitalize and find their way into the net. Game remained scoreless heading into the first intermission.
* Less than a minute into the second period, fifth year defenseman Isabella Pozzi fired one past UBC's Elise Hugens from the blue line to give the Huskies the 1-0 lead. Her shot was nearly identical to her goal from Friday night, which was also an impressive strike from the blue line.
* Some excitement in the second period as the Huskies were credited with a goal halfway through the period. After review, the goal was waived off and the Huskies kept their lead after two periods of play.
* Rylind MacKinnon from the Thunderbirds added an equalizer on the power play late in the third period to tie the game at 1-1.
* The overtime period would be a battle and neither team would be able to make anything happen offensively, pushing the game to a shootout.
* Saskatchewan's Camryn Drever would remain in net for the Huskies in the shootout, as would UBC's Elise Hugens. Shootout goals from Sophie Lalor and Sara Kendall gave the Huskies the win.
THE STATS
* Camryn Drever stopped 29 of 30 for the Huskies in regulation time, with UBC's Elise Hugens stopping 18 of 19.
* Both goals were scored on the powerplay, with Isabella Pozzi for the Huskies, and Rylind MacKinnon for the Thunderbirds.
* The three stars of the game were Saskatchewan's Sophie Lalor and Camryn Drever, and UBC's Elise Hugens.
THE STANDINGS
The Saskatchewan Huskies are 9-3-1-1 on the season and sit in fourth place in Canada West. The UBC Thunderbirds maintain their first place standing, with a record of 11-0-1-2.
THE NEXT ONE
The T-Birds return to the friendly confines of Father David Bauer Arena for a pair of games against the Calgary Dinoes next weekend. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. (PT) on Friday and 3:00 p.m. (PT) on Saturday.
