VANCOUVER –
Jacquelyn Fleming scored the game-winner as the UBC Thunderbirds edged the Calgary Dinos 2-1 in the first game of a best-of-three Canada West semifinal series on Friday afternoon at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.
"We played really strong at times, but we've got to be a little more consistent," said UBC head coach
Graham Thomas. "We know they're not going to quit, and so we've just got to make sure we continue to play our game and stick to the game plan. For the most part, we were good, and we've just got to keep building."
UBC goalie
Elise Hugens made 16 saves in the game that saw the 'Birds go three for three on the penalty kill. The Dinos held the home team to only two goals, stopping the rest of UBC's 31 shots on goal.
"It was a battle," said Dinos head coach Josh Gosling. "That's two good teams out there so we know it's going to be tight. We know that they're going to play with a ton of speed and that they're going to try and create a ton of offence. I think our players did a good job of controlling the middle and keeping them outside, and we've just got to find another gear."
Chanreet Bassi, who ended the night with two points, opened the scoring 4:29 minutes into the first frame for the T-Birds with a sharp-angle shot on the power play. The Dinos were able to hold off two more power plays before the end of the period, while UBC showed off their 87.1 percent penalty kill from the regular season through four minutes of five-on-four.
The second period was uneventful, with neither team able to get points on the board. UBC outshot their opponents 10-5 but struggled to get past Dinos goalie Gabriella Durante.
The visitors equalized midway through the third when Brooke Dennett got past a UBC defenceman to slot in a backhand shot. The 'Birds responded shortly after to take a 2-1 lead. Bassi fed a perfectly timed pass to Fleming in the crease who finished the play with what would be the game-winning goal.
"It's just game one, and we've got to respect their team and know they're going to come out giving everything they have," added Thomas. "We're going to have to make sure that we're ready to respond and play our best game."
Game two of the best-of-three series between the T-Birds and Dinos is set for 3:00 p.m. Saturday, with game three scheduled for 3:00 on Sunday if necessary.
