WHKY: T-Birds dominate game one of Canada West Final
March 12, 2022
VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds are one win away from a Canada West championship after a convincing 4-0 win over the visiting Saskatchewan Huskies in game one of the best-of-three series Friday night.
Huskies goaltender Camryn Drever faced a relentless T-Birds attack as UBC outshot their opponents 43-13, scoring three times in the opening period.
"When you (face) a really good goalie like that on the other end, you gotta put pucks on net, we were able to do that tonight and capitalize on those chances early," said UBC Head Coach Graham Thomas.
Despite well-traveled Huskies fans making their presence felt at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre, it was UBC that set the tone. First year T-Bird Grace Elliott opened the scoring 4:32 into the game, keeping the puck on a 2-on-1 rush, sneaking a shot five-hole for her second goal of the playoffs.
UBC kept the pedal to the metal with a strong forecheck and sustained pressure in the offensive zone. Calgary's Mia Bierd could not have picked a better time to notch her first career U SPORTS goal, potting a loose puck to give her team a 2-0 lead.
"She's had a bunch of good looks throughout the year and just been snake bitten," added Thomas. "The team is just jacked for her, to get that goal, scoring in the Canada West Final as a first-year player, she'll always remember that one."
Assistant captain Ashley McFadden extended the UBC lead to close out the first period, crashing the net and scoring with 33 seconds left in the opening frame.
"Well, we didn't start on time," said Huskies Head Coach Steve Kook upon reflection of game one. "You get down early and then you're trying to climb out of a hole. Whether we weren't physically or mentally prepared it didn't make a difference we just didn't start on time."
Saskatchewan was awarded the game's first power play after Rylind MacKinnon took a bodychecking penalty in the second period. However, it was the T-Birds who added to their lead, with Shay-Lee McConnell finishing off a feed from captain Kenzie Robinson on a shorthanded rush. UBC continued to dictate play and possession for the remainder of the contest.
The T-Birds are firing on all cylinders and Thomas likes what he sees heading into Game two.
"When your team's playing this confident, and they're gelling and all your lines are going and everybody's contributing, I think as a coach your job is just stay away, and just let them play."
UBC is hoping to complete the sweep and secure their fourth Canada West championship banner with a win on Saturday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.
Huskies goaltender Camryn Drever faced a relentless T-Birds attack as UBC outshot their opponents 43-13, scoring three times in the opening period.
"When you (face) a really good goalie like that on the other end, you gotta put pucks on net, we were able to do that tonight and capitalize on those chances early," said UBC Head Coach Graham Thomas.
Despite well-traveled Huskies fans making their presence felt at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre, it was UBC that set the tone. First year T-Bird Grace Elliott opened the scoring 4:32 into the game, keeping the puck on a 2-on-1 rush, sneaking a shot five-hole for her second goal of the playoffs.
UBC kept the pedal to the metal with a strong forecheck and sustained pressure in the offensive zone. Calgary's Mia Bierd could not have picked a better time to notch her first career U SPORTS goal, potting a loose puck to give her team a 2-0 lead.
"She's had a bunch of good looks throughout the year and just been snake bitten," added Thomas. "The team is just jacked for her, to get that goal, scoring in the Canada West Final as a first-year player, she'll always remember that one."
Assistant captain Ashley McFadden extended the UBC lead to close out the first period, crashing the net and scoring with 33 seconds left in the opening frame.
"Well, we didn't start on time," said Huskies Head Coach Steve Kook upon reflection of game one. "You get down early and then you're trying to climb out of a hole. Whether we weren't physically or mentally prepared it didn't make a difference we just didn't start on time."
Saskatchewan was awarded the game's first power play after Rylind MacKinnon took a bodychecking penalty in the second period. However, it was the T-Birds who added to their lead, with Shay-Lee McConnell finishing off a feed from captain Kenzie Robinson on a shorthanded rush. UBC continued to dictate play and possession for the remainder of the contest.
The T-Birds are firing on all cylinders and Thomas likes what he sees heading into Game two.
"When your team's playing this confident, and they're gelling and all your lines are going and everybody's contributing, I think as a coach your job is just stay away, and just let them play."
UBC is hoping to complete the sweep and secure their fourth Canada West championship banner with a win on Saturday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.