WINNIPEG – The UBC Thunderbirds (2-0) earned the weekend sweep with a 5-0 win over the University of Manitoba Bisons (0-2) at Wayne Fleming Arena on Saturday afternoon. Three first-period goals propelled the 'Birds to an early advantage, and they never looked back, holding on defensively to seal the shutout victory.
Fourth-year forward Hanna Perrier tallied two assists, setting up both of UBC's power-play goals on four opportunities. Maggie Raukman added to her impressive weekend stat line with another goal for her third through two games to start her U SPORTS career, while third-year netminder Mya Lucifora stopped all 16 shots faced on the night to record her first shutout with the T-Birds.
After an early penalty, UBC was put on the skater advantage in the opening two minutes.
Jaylyn Morris, the highest-scoring T-Bird returning from last season, picked up her first tally of the year with a
wrister from the point that found its way through heavy traffic for the game's opening score.
The 'Birds added on just as the period neared its end. After receiving a beautiful stretch pass from
Elle Lorenz,
Emma Hall avoided a defender and careened into the zone on the wing before wiring a shot up high to double UBC's lead. Less than a minute later, a gritty forecheck spurred a turnover that found T-Bird
Payton Henwood at the top of the slot. The first-year forward then deked around the last defender before firing home another to push the visitors to a 3-0 lead heading into the first intermission.
The Bisons
defence stood tall to start the second, limiting UBC's offensive opportunities. However, the 'Birds seemed to regain momentum as they were handed two power plays, nearly back-to-back. The Bisons were up for the challenge on the first, but the 'Birds struck again on the second. Rauckman's resilience in front was rewarded after she banged away in tight on a couple of rebounds before finding the net for her third goal of the weekend.
Both sides created chances throughout the third, but UBC's Kate
Chuback was the sole skater to tack on another. With under seven minutes to go, the Manitoba native picked up the puck near the top of the circle, walked in and sent a laser up high for the forward's first of the season. The Bisons continued to press for the remainder of the frame, but Lucifora responded in goal, holding on for the 5-0 shutout win.
With the pair of road wins to start the new Canada West campaign, the 'Birds will return to the Vancouver area next week to take on the Trinity Western University Spartans for another two-game set. The home-and-away series begins at Father David Bauer Arena on Friday, October 16 at 7:00 p.m., before UBC travels to Langley for Saturday's matchup at 3:00 p.m. at The Arenas at LEC.
