For the most part the Women’s hockey program at UBC is very successful and under the guidance of Head Coach Graham Thomas they have had a winning season.
Having stated this, it all got down to a best of three series against the Manitoba Bisons, who need game three to pull off the series win.
The University of Manitoba Bisons Alana Serhan scored the game winning goal 24 seconds into the third period to give her team the series win 2-1 over the UBC Thunderbirds.
Both teams played a hard fought semi-final series, but the end result will see the Bisons advance to the Canada West Final and the opponent will be the Alberta Golden Bears.
The Bisons opened the scoring in the first period on a goal by Alana Sharman at the nine minute mark beating UBC’s Danielle Dube from the slot giving the visitors a 1-0 lead.
UBC tested Rachel Dyck in the best of three series as the T-Birds keeping her team in the game that featured big hits by both teams as the physical UBC squad gave the Bisons all they could handle; and at times emotions ran exceptionally high.
The teams battled each hard in a very entertaining scoreless second period that saw both Danielle Dube (UBC) and Rachel Dyck (Bisons) exchanged scoring chances.
By far Dyck was forced to make the tougher saves off the T-bird shooters as the game remained a one goal lead for Manitoba heading to the intermission.
Manitoba got what proved to be the game winning goal from Alan Serhan 24 seconds in the third period to provide the insurance marker in what would prove to be a nail bitter.
Goaltender Rachel Dyck held the fort the rest of the way for the Bisons as she was tested making several saves of all “Birds” shooters.
UBC finally got on the board on a goal by Rebecca Unrau midway through the third cutting the deficit to 2-1.
With the Bisons in the lead and a determined UBC squad fired everything but the kitchen the Bisons pulled off what some might call a surprise finish to this best of three semi-final series.
All the games in the series were decided by one goal games by scores of 2-1 that featured excellent goalkeeping and end to end action.
As well it had some great intense physical match ups between these two top teams in Canada West Hockey, which was well worth the price of admission.
Final shots in the game Sunday saw each team with 20 shots Rachel Dyck for Manitoba kicked out 19 shots and Danielle Dube of the Thunderbirds made 18 saves on the afternoon.
Graham Thomas and his staff have had an outstanding season in the Canada West Women’s hockey and in just his third year along with Assistant Coaches Mike Sommer, Christi Capozzi, Goaltending Coach Pasco Valana, Assistant Goaltending Coach Brendan Metz, Video Coach Perry Denure along with the trainers Larissa Gemer, Karen Cheng and Assistant Equipment Manager Marie Vondracek.
A great job again by the this group and to all the players on the squad for a great season that just fell short of a national championship.
Manitoba now advances to play Alberta in the Canada West Finals next weekend March 3-6 the winner advances to the Nationals for CIS Women’s Hockey to be played March 12-15 in Calgary Alberta.
About Sportswave
Sportswave Productions is located in Delta, BC.
Sportswave promotes/broadcasts Amateur Sports within the Lower Mainland.
Sportswave Productions is owned and operated by Steve Erickson who has a long standing career within the broadcasting and refereeing for Minor League Sports in BC and across Canada.
Steve is recognized by his peers, associations, communities and colleagues for his endless contributions to multiple Amateur Sports within the Lower Mainland.
Steve was recognized as Volunteer of the Year Award by the Delta Chamber of Commerce in 2015 and inducted into the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Hall of Fame in 2017.
He was recognized by Ravi Kahlon, BC’s MLA Minister for Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation in September 11, 2017.
In December 2022 he was Awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Pin.
Awarded Rotary Paul Harris Fellow Award for tangible for significant assistant given for the better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world.
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