The UBC Thunderbirds have completed their regular season with a winning streak at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre on Feb. 15.
UBC won against the Calgary Dino’s 3-1, with a 14 winning streak and 25 wins in total in addition to defeating the Dino’s on Feb. 14.
This is the highest record in Canada West history.
“I am definitely shocked, I did not know we hit it. … I am really proud of the group,” said Graham Thomas, Head Coach of the Women’s Thunderbirds hockey team.
This is Thomas’ seventh season as the coach.
Thomas, along with Assistant Coach, Partap Sandhu, are now preparing the team for the playoffs. The women will play the winner between Manitoba and Trinity Western.
“It is going to be intense, … but at the end of the day it is how we are playing,” Thomas added.
“They are confident and they (believe) in themselves, and I think when you have a mixture of all that … something special is going to happen,” he added.
Sierra LaPlante is the captain for the Women’s T-Birds and was proud of her team’s performance on Feb. 15.
“We have faced a lot throughout this year and being able to learn from those moments and grow has been something our group has valued,” LaPlante said.
LaPlante’s hometown is Calgary, so playing against the Dino’s feels different than other opposing teams.
“They are always a rival and it hits a little close to home,” she said.
This is also the last regular season game LaPlante will play before graduation.
“Staying in the present is something that I have really valued these past few months … (but) it was definitely emotional,” LaPlante added.
LaPlante is studying biology at UBC and has not decided if she will continue playing hockey after graduation.
“Depending on how school and everything else turns out, in the future there may not be hockey,” she said.
LaPlante followed in her brother’s footsteps after watching him play hockey as a kid. She has been playing since she was 7 years-old.
“It has been something that I have loved. I have enjoyed coming to the rink every day and getting to see my second family,” LaPlante said.
“The playoffs are my favourite time in the season. You have to put everything on the line … and all the hard work you put into preparing, finally comes to the point you get to showcase (your ability),” she said.
The Women’s T-Birds will be participating in the Canada West Playoffs on March 1.
Sportswave welcomes Emma to the “team” and wish her all the best in her new found career!!
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