Connor Hood, Golden Bears and Pandas Athletics

EDMONTON - Despite outshooting the Thunderbirds 27-12, the Alberta Pandas were shutout for just the second time this season, falling 2-0 to UBC at Clare Drake Arena on Friday night.

Thunderbirds starter Tory Micklash was sensational with 27 saves, earning her ninth win and fourth shutout this season. Ashley McFadden scored the game-winner in the second period, with UBC captain Celine Tardif adding the insurance marker into the empty net. 

Pandas starter Dayna Owen stopped 10 of the 11 shots she faced, losing just her third game this season. With the win, UBC improves to 9-4-3-3 in conference play, while Alberta drops to 12-3-4-0.

The Pandas outshot UBC in every period, but were undone by the play of Micklash, coupled with an 0/6 powerplay efficiency. Alberta held a 8-3 shot advantage after one, and dominated time of possession in the opening frame. 

Scoreless through the first half of the game, UBC finally broke the deadlock 8:58 into the second. After Madison Patrick's initial shot was stopped by Owen, McFadden ripped in the rebound for her fifth of the season. Trying to answer back, the Pandas fired 7 more shots on target in the second, all of which were turned aside. The Pandas also failed to capitalize on two separate five-on-three powerplays. 

Micklash was tremendous in the third period, stopping all 12 Pandas shots, including a couple five-alarm saves late in the third. The Pandas also went 0/2 on the player advantage in the third period. 

Tardif sealed the UBC upset with a 200-foot empty net goal in the final 40 seconds, securing the UBC 2-0 win.

The two top-three programs will return for the rematch tomorrow, with puck drop scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at Clare Drake Arena.