SASKATOON, SK - The UBC Thunderbirds secured a fifth-place finish at the 2024 GFL U SPORTS Women's Hockey Championship presented by Connect Energy after a heated contest against the rival Saskatchewan Huskies on Sunday morning. 

Makenzie McCallum's game-winning, go-ahead goal at 12:25 of the first period helped lift the Thunderbirds to the 4-1 victory at Merlis Belsher Pace in Saskatoon.

McCallum, a fourth-year forward, was assisted on the play by Cassidy Rhodes.

The goal came in a busy first period that was also highlighted by goals from UBC's Ashton Thorpe at 6:19 and the Huskies' Kennedy Brown at 10:29. 

The Huskies' only goal came after a short delay when defensive player Isabella Pozzi took a hard fall after coming together with a UBC player. Pozzi, the Huskies' alternate captain would eventually return to the game. 

In the second period, UBC continued to put pressure on Huskies fifth-year goalie Camryn Drever. 

UBC forward Grace Elliott scored at 18:22 of the second while teammate Cassidy Rhodes found an empty net at 18:26 of the third to wrap up scoring. 

The Thunderbirds outshot the Huskies 26-17. UBC goalie Elise Hugens received the victory after making 17 saves. Drever made 23 stops in a losing cause.

Nike Team Players of the Game:

Joelle Fiala – UBC 
Kennedy Brown – Saskatchewan