Continuing their run of dominance, UBC’s women’s hockey team dominated the University of Alberta Pandas in a 5–1 win on Nov. 21 at Clare Drake Arena. The match marked the third time the teams met this season, with UBC dominating the Pandas on all three occasions.
The intra-conference rivals have a long record of tough matches against each other — most notably, in last year’s Canada West final. Alberta ended UBC’s season by sweeping the series 2–0, but the ‘Birds took both games to overtime. In recent years, this matchup has been mostly even with 11 one-goal games since 2020. That is, of course, until this season.
The first match between the teams this year, played in October, saw a very physical game, with plenty of penalties being received by both sides. Overcoming some late Alberta powerplays, UBC won the game 3–0.
The following game saw an even more intense and physical match, but the Thunderbirds didn’t let themselves be intimidated. They finished the match with a major 5–1 win over Alberta, who struggled all weekend to keep up with the ‘Birds offense.
Despite those wins, UBC knows that Alberta is a tricky team with a lot of grit — and are historically a conference titan, with 15 Canada West titles, by far the most. UBC couldn’t afford to look past a team like the Pandas, despite both teams’ vastly different standing in Canada West this season.
The ‘Birds have been dominating in the conference this season, with 12 wins in a row under their name — good enough for the top spot in the conference and a No. 1 rank in the country. In addition to their overall success, UBC was coming into this one off a victorious weekend against MacEwan University, by a combined score of 10–1, having plenty of momentum.
On the other hand, the Pandas’ season has been disappointing coming off their conference championship last year, with nine losses and only three wins, sitting in seventh in the Canada West standings before this game. Additionally, Alberta lost both matches played in the previous weekend against Mount Royal University, extending a four-game losing streak.
Unlike the matches earlier in the season between the Pandas and the Thunderbirds, this game started without the energy and physicality that has characterized their meetings so far.
The first few minutes of play had plenty of back-and-forth between the teams, with both sides finding some chances for shots on goal early in the period. But soon, the T-Birds shifted gears and started applying pressure to the Pandas, spending more time in the offensive zone and keeping Alberta out of UBC’s end.
Despite the ice tilting in the ‘Birds’ favour, as the first period progressed, no goals were scored, and the tension between the teams began to rise. Each team got a power play about midway through the period, but neither side was able to light up the scoreboard.
The first period ended with a flurry of shots on goal by Alberta, who was given another chance at 5-on-4 hockey with a T-Birds penalty late, but none managed to get past UBC goalkeeper Elise Hugens.
The second period finally brought the energy and action expected from these teams. Both sides became more physical, with battles along the boards for the puck and increased bodychecking. As both teams settled into form, the Thunderbirds dominated the Pandas, who were unable to stop the visitors. UBC notched four goals in this period, three coming during power plays — scoring on every opportunity.
It didn’t take long for the ‘Birds to get on the board. With Alberta taking a hooking penalty less than two minutes into the period, defender Jaylyn Morris took advantage. After a few attempts on goal were stopped by Alberta goaltender Misty Rey, forward Vanessa Schaefer got hold of the puck and quickly passed it to Morris, who shot it from a distance and managed to sink it in the back of the net through plenty of traffic.
Being down 1–0 wasn’t Alberta’s only worry. Seconds before the goal, the Pandas were called for another penalty, and while Morris’ marker on the delayed call would prevent the 5-on-3, the Pandas would immediately be back on the penalty kill.
On the ensuing power play, UBC defender Ashton Thorpe made a shot on goal that was quickly defended by Rey, who took a few steps forward to defend Thorpe’s shot. In doing so, however, she left the Alberta net open. The bouncing puck then found its way to forward Olivia Buckley off the rebound, who sank it into the briefly unattended goal and brought the score to 2–0.
Scoring two back-to-back power play goals less than five minutes into the period boosted UBC’s momentum, with players growing relentless in their offensive and defensive efforts. While the home crowd attempted to give their team some energy back, the support didn’t make much of an effect on the Pandas. Even though Alberta was given two power play opportunities after UBC’s power play goals, Alberta was only able to get two shots on goal during the second.
The Thunderbirds wouldn’t have the same trouble. After killing off both Panda power plays, they scored a third power play goal 13 minutes into the period, with only a few more seconds of advantage to spare.
On an impressive team play, forward Jacquelyn Fleming got the puck from the corner of the ice to forward Cassidy Rhodes. While it looked like Rhodes would make a push for the goal, she instead quickly passed the puck cross-ice to an open Buckley who got it past an unsuspecting Rey, increasing the team's advantage to three.
Only two minutes later, the T-Birds capped an excellent period with one more goal. After establishing possession in the Pandas’ zone, forward Annalise Wong took a shot to the goal that was defended by Rey, but the Alberta goalie was unable to corral the rebound. Acting quickly, Schaefer got possession of the loose puck, circumventing the goalie and a defender before sinking it into the net, scoring the fourth goal of the night.
Thanks to that demoralizing end-of-period goal, the Pandas were backed into a corner, mostly reacting to UBC’s plays but not taking many offensive chances — trying to stop the bleeding.
Yet, if Alberta wanted to come back, they couldn’t play conservatively. While the last period began with the Thunderbirds still setting the pace offensively, the Pandas seemed to finally show signs of life again by getting some chances during the power play.
Even when Alberta also suffered a penalty — leading into a four-on-four — the Pandas increased their offensive efforts and nearly scored.
But even with some solid chances, the Pandas’ defence was no match for UBC’s momentum, and the Thunderbirds scored one last goal six minutes into the period. Seconds before the end of yet another power play, forward Hanna Perrier found space up the boards, creating a three-on-two off the rush. She passed the puck to forward Karine Sandilands at the top of the slot, who quickly sank it into the net between Alberta’s defenders. This goal yet again showcased UBC’s ability to make fast choices and take advantage of their chances — in this case, a short-handed rival and two ill-positioned defenders.
In the last minutes of the match, Alberta finally seemed to understand the gravity of having such an ugly loss in front of their crowd, and fought to avoid the shutout at home.
With 30 seconds on the clock, Pandas forward Raegan Yewdall managed to intercept a pass and make a dash across the face of UBC’s only defender in position, scoring the first and only goal for the Pandas in the game.
Especially in comparison to their last two games against Alberta, UBC managed to lessen the number of penalties they took – while also improving on the power play, separating from the competition with their three power play markers in the second. The game also highlighted UBC’s ability to exploit every opportunity they are given, finding rebounds, asserting and sustaining pressure while scoring goals.
Unfortunately for UBC, their success would be short-lived. After a tough Saturday rematch against the Pandas, with a 2–0 loss for the ‘Birds, UBC’s next challenge will be at home, where they’ll have to rebound from their first loss of the season against the University of Saskatchewan.
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