VANCOUVER - A new season, a new coach, and a completely fresh start.
That was the message rookie Head Coach
Graham Thomas had been preaching, and his message has been received loud and clear.
Coming off of a last-place finish and a 1-21-2 record in 2011-12, the UBC Thunderbirds women's ice hockey team opened their season with a 4-0 victory over Regina on Friday night.
Lead by the stellar goaltending of new recruit
Danielle Dube (Vancouver, BC), the Thunderbirds weathered some late penalty trouble to hang on and match their victory total from all of last year in their season opening game.
UBC came out of the gate a bit timid in the first period, something Thomas chalked up to nerves and a lack of surety in the team's abilities based on last season's results.
“I think the biggest challenge this team has had is just to get through the mental blocks,” Thomas explained. “We're getting in that habit of attention to detail and learning what it takes to win.”
Thomas made some adjustments at the intermission, and they paid immediate dividends as
Nicole Saxvik (North Vancouver, BC) scored at 2:14, banging in a
Dayle Poulin (Prince George, BC) rebound.
The Thunderbirds killed a pair of penalties over a five minute span thanks to some timely shot blocking and neutral zone pressure and then took control back.
Rebecca Unrau (Humboldt, SK) fired wide on a penalty shot, and shortly after
Nadine Burgess (St. Catharines, ON) hit the goalpost on a breakaway. Despite a 13-4 shot advantage in the period, UBC headed to the second intermission with just a single goal.
The third opened with Regina pressuring, but an untimely boarding penalty gave UBC the man-advantage. Unrau capitalized with her first of the season, pouncing on a
Cailey Hay (Oakbank, MB) rebound.
With a two-goal lead and Regina pressuring, UBC took a pair of penalties in short order, giving the Cougars a two-player advantage for over a minute. It was then that Dube made the difference, turning away half a dozen shots, most of them from close range with traffic in front.
Following the penalty kill,
Tatiana Rafter (Winnipeg, MB) added an insurance marker after a
Nikola Brown-John (Monte Lake, BC) shot was kicked into the slot. Unrau added her second of the game shortly after with an empty net goal.
With a minute remaining, Dube made her 30th and final save of the evening, her 18th of the period, preserving the shutout and earning herself First Star honours.
“I think everyone was a little nervous at the beginning,” admitted Dube, playing her first competitive hockey since 2004. “It's been a while since I've played a game with all the excitement.”
Dube's solid play behind the team was clearly a stabilizing force at times when Regina threatened to swing the momentum in their direction. Thomas and the team are excited about the leadership she can provide the team's young players.
“It's her character,” said Thomas. “She brings that experience, leadership, and character to the room. It's a calming presence and a calming confidence.”
Dube and the Thunderbirds will have a chance to build on this victory immediately, as they host Regina again at Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Arena on Saturday at 7 p.m.
