SASKATOON, Sask. — The University of Saskatchewan Huskies women's hockey team opened their weekend series against UBC with a 5-1 setback Friday night (Oct. 30) at Merlis Belsher Place. Despite scoring early to erase a first-minute deficit, the Huskies were unable to generate sustained offense as the visiting Thunderbirds pulled away with four unanswered goals.
UBC, who entered the weekend ranked No. 1 in the nation, struck first just 1:47 into the contest when Leila Sinclair converted on a power-play opportunity following an early Saskatchewan penalty. The Huskies needed only 20 seconds to answer back.
Shelby Williamson finished off a setup from
Anna Benoit at 2:07 of the opening frame, tying the game 1-1 with her first goal of the season.
The equalizer proved to be one of only 10 shots the Huskies would record all night as UBC controlled much of the play. Saskatchewan netminder
Clara Juca was sharp early, helping the Huskies weather several stretches of pressure, but the Thunderbirds regained the lead late in the first period when Sinclair scored her second of the night with just 14 seconds remaining in the frame.
Sinclair completed her hat trick 4:24 into the middle frame, finishing a passing play from Hanna Perrier and Ilona Markova. Later in the period, Perrier added a goal of her own to make it 4-1 UBC.
Saskatchewan was given an opportunity to climb back into the game when the Thunderbirds took three consecutive penalties in the second period. However, the home side was unable to capitalize, finishing the night 0-for-3 with the player advantage.
The Thunderbirds put the game away midway through the third period when Markova scored at 8:36, stretching the lead to 5-1. UBC finished the evening with a commanding 29-10 edge in shots on goal and received multi-point performances from Sinclair, Perrier and Markova.
Juca stopped 24 of the 29 shots she faced, while Williamson accounted for Saskatchewan's lone marker. Benoit recorded the Huskies' only assist of the night.
The Huskies will look to regroup and earn a split of the series when they meet the Thunderbirds again Saturday evening at Merlis Belsher Place.
