The defending CIS West Champions the UBC Thunderbirds Women’s Hockey team made the 2013-14 home debut against the University of Calgary Dinos handing them a large 4-0 defeat.
Playing on home ice at the UBC Doug Mitchell Sports Centre are coming off a record breaking 17-7-4 last year. To date this was the best in the history of the University, which in part is due to a great job recruiting in the off-season.
Heading into this year just a reminder that last season the T-Birds knocked off Calgary to win the CIS West as Champions in three game series.
The game was delayed at the start as they had to wait for the Linesman to arrive, but the referee was present but did not have her partners, so was delayed until 7:30pm, which was half an hour past the advertised time of 7:00pm.
The Calgary Dinos had some changes, but were without team leader Haley Wickenheiser but most notably the biggest loss is that of Head Coach Danielle Goyette. She was a former National team player so this seems to be a rebuilding year for the Dinos. In the early going it UBC played an up tempo game moving the puck well and strong checking.
By the 10 minute mark they enjoyed a 9-1 edge in shots against Dinos goalie Amanda Tapp who kept her club in the game with at least 5 that were outstanding and if not for her, it could have easily been 3-0 for the “Birds”.
They continued to press and in the first period Sarah Casorso banged home a wrap around shot past Amanda Tapp of Calgary with 3:38 remaining.
A short 27 seconds later Stephanie Schaupmeyer blasted home a shot from the slot with the lone assist going to Saxvik.
They added to the lead in the final minute while on the PP with Tatiana Rafter buried a shot from the side with only 49 seconds remaining putting them up 3-0 after one.
Shots heading into the first intermission were 14-2 for the T-Birds as goalkeeper Danielle Lemon having little to do in her end of the ice.
“Birds” Captain Christi Capozzi playing in her 100th CIS hockey game told us “it was a great feat of accomplishment for everyone with the team.”
This her last year and as a fifth year student she is majoring in Kinesiology”. We wish her all the best!!
The second was much more completive as the Dinos came on following a slow start, but they did manage to created several scoring chances pressing the Thunderbirds each chance they had.
Calgary had three power play chances in the second but the “Birds” PK was solid killing off the shorthanded situations.
UBC added to their lead at 9:35 as a new recruit from the off season, Melissa Goodwin beat Amanda Tapp extending their lead to 4-0.
Two other first year players, Sarah Casoro and Kristen Wilson drew the assists as the UBC took a four goal lead into the final period.
Shots in the second were 8-5 for Calgary and through two periods the “Birds” held a 19-10 edge.
The third saw The Dinos came out hard against the T-birds forcing them to make some mistakes, while pressuring their defense on the taking the centre away, forcing “Birds” goalkeeper Danielle Lemon to come up with stellar stops, at key times of the period.
Overall it was a solid performance by the defending CIS west champions as they held on for the 4-0 victory over Calgary.
Shots through three periods were 26-25 for Calgary who ironically saw them hold a 16-6 edge in the final period. The “Birds” improved to 2-1-0 early in the season while Calgary fell to 0-2-1.
Saturday’s game which is played in the afternoon will see UBC raise the banner of the 2012-13 championship season.
Prior to the game they host the Second Annual Women’s Hockey Alumni Night a game which features all past Alumni. A huge success!!
