The Dinos women’s hockey team had mixed results this past weekend against the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds. They slept through the first period of the Oct. 22 game, ultimately lost 3-2 and then quickly came to life in the second game on Saturday scoring six goals and shutting out the Thunderbirds.
“Players were not ready to start in the first period and that cost us the game,” said women’s hockey head coach Danielle Goyette.
UBC scored the first goal of the game two minutes into the first period and the second goal halfway through the second period. Forward Jenna Smith scored the first Dinos goal of the game less than a minute later by cutting to the net and redirecting a pass from forward Hayley Wickenheiser.
“It was 2-0 and the players knew we could make a comeback and we had to put the effort into it,” said Goyette. “I think when we put the line of Smith, Wickenheiser and [forward Erika] Mitschke, they were ready to go and they want to make a difference.”
UBC followed up Smith’s goal with a breakaway to take a 3-1 lead. Dinos forward Caitlin O’Hara scored a power play goal off a rebound late in the third period but the Dinos were unable to get an equalizer and lost the game 3-2.
The Dinos outshot the Thunderbirds 41-19 in the game. UBC goalie Amanda Tapp stopped a total of 39 shots.
“We have to give credit to the goalie from UBC,” said Goyette. “I think she for sure won the two points for their team.”
The Dinos woke up for their second game against UBC on Oct. 23. Wickenheiser scored a pair of goals in the first period and the team never looked back.
In the second period, goals from forward Elana Lovell and forward Maddison Gee doubled their lead to 4-0.
“We keep pressuring them. We never stopped until the buzzer went,” said Goyette. “It was a totally different game than the night before.”
In the third period forward Chelsea Peterson scored a power play goal and Wickenheiser scored her third goal of the night to round off a hat trick.
“Every time she’s on the ice with the girls, they’re playing better. It just gives confidence to the girls,” said Goyette. “The leadership that she’s showing on and off the ice helps the team to believe that we can win a big game. Sometimes with a young team that’s what’s missing.”