VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds (21-1-1-2 ) earned their 10th straight win in a tight-checking 2-1 shootout victory over the visiting Alberta Pandas (19-2-1-3) Friday night at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.

Mackenzie Kordic assisted on UBC's only goal in regulation and sniped the shootout winner helping the T-Birds earn a big victory over the Pandas, clinching a top-two finish in the Canada West standings and a first round playoff bye.

It was a tight-checking start to the game as the two top teams in the conference battled for every loose puck. Rylind MacKinnon opened scoring with a point shot through traffic 11:38 into the opening frame.



Despite striking first in the game, the T-Birds struggled in the second period. Alberta controlled play, outshooting their opponents 11-to-3 in the second. Head coach Graham Thomas attempted to settle his team down by calling his timeout just before the halfway point of the game. However, the T-Birds took back-to-back penalties, giving the Pandas a long 5-on-3 power play.  

The Pandas showed their resilience as a trio of fourth-years teamed up on the advantage. Madison Willan potted her seventh goal of the season on a pretty passing play from Taylor Anker and Payton Laumbach to tie the game 1-1.

"We gotta work hard to get inside the 'house' and get more shots," said Thomas. "Even though we had good o-zone time, we probably should've had more shots generated. In the third period I thought we started fighting back."

Both teams had opportunities to take the lead in the final frame, each with a pair of power plays, but neither were able to capitalize. The Pandas had the best chance of the period as defender Sara Keizeil hit the crossbar late in the third. Alberta finished the game 1-for-6 on the power play, while UBC went 0-for-4.



Since regulation solved nothing, the game went to overtime where UBC dominated puck-possession. Pandas goalie Halle Oswald made a perfectly timed diving poke-check to deny fourth-year T-Bird Chanreet Bassi of a point-blank scoring chance, forcing the game to a shootout.

After T-Birds goalie Elise Hugens denied three Panda shooters with UBC unable to score on their first two attempts, Kordic had the game on her stick. The fourth-year sniper made no mistake, scoring a top-shelf goal to end the game in dramatic fashion. 

"It's a big win, for Kordic to pull that off," added Thomas. "Sometimes your players make you look smarter than you are."

?? WHKY | @CanadaWest leading scorer Mackenzie Kordic scored the only goal of the shootout Friday night to lead @UBCWHKY to a 10th straight win, securing a first round playoff bye pic.twitter.com/oPYrE62AY2

— UBC Thunderbirds (@ubctbirds) February 3, 2024

The two teams will battle again Saturday afternoon in what will be an emotional event – the final regular season home game for graduating T-Birds seniors Rylind Mackinnon, Joelle Fiala, and Reese Hiddleston.

Saturday's game has added significance as with a victory, UBC can lock up first place in the conference, and guarantee home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs.

Puck drop is set for 3:00 p.m. at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre. Tickets are available online with the game also streamed live on Canada West TV.