The UBC Thunderbirds went the distance in their first game of the regular season and came out of it victorious, earning a 3-2 shootout win in Calgary.

Karine Sandilands was the hero for the T-Birds. The fourth-year forward, who scored twice all of last season, not only notched both of UBC's goals in this one but also scored the only goal in the shootout to lead the Thunderbirds to victory.

While it was all smiles in the end for the 'Birds, there was some tougher sledding at the beginning. Gabriella Durante was a wall in goal for the Dinos, making 14 saves in the first period (and 37 on the night) to stymie UBC in the early going.



Despite outshooting the Dinos by a two to one margin, the T-Birds found themselves a goal behind early in the second period. Calgary forward Emma Tait let loose a wrist shot from the point that found its way into the back of the net, meaning UBC had to fight from behind.

And that they did, with Sandilands getting the breakthrough with just 90 seconds left in the middle frame. A sudden fastbreak saw three T-Birds pouring into the Calgary zone against just one defender, and after Chanreet Bassi played it across to Sandilands, the Winnipeg native ripped it top corner.

She was then at it again just a couple minutes into the third. After Bassi made a great defensive play at the Calgary blueline to deflect a pass, the puck found its way to Mackenzie Kordic who raced towards goal on a two on one with Sandilands. Kordic elected to shoot and was stopped, but the rebound was left on a platter for Sandilands at the back post.

The Dinos didn't go away though, and halfway through the third they tied the game at 2-2 following a spell of pressure in the UBC zone. The hosts very nearly grabbed the win in the waning moments, but T-Birds goalkeeper Elise Hugens sprawled out and kicked up her foot to make a massive save on the doorstep, robbing the Dinos.



After a scoreless overtime, the two teams headed to a shootout to decide the winner. Sandilands picked out the top right corner for the second time on the night on her attempt, while Hugens again stood tall, stopping all those she faced to seal the win.

The Thunderbirds don't have too much time to rest on their laurels, as they're right back at it against the Dinos on Saturday afternoon. The rematch begins at 2:00 p.m. (PT), as UBC looks to start the season off with back-to-back wins.