Huskies goaltender Colby Wilson warms up before her first-ever effort in net against the UBC Thunderbirds on Jan. 13, 2023. (Daniella Ponticelli/HuskieFAN)

By Daniella Ponticelli

Special teams win the night for UBC

Huskies fall 3-1 to Canada West’s best in Vancouver

Jan 14, 2023 | 1:30 AM

Saskatchewan couldn’t stop a wave of UBC momentum on the west coast Friday night.

Despite getting off to a quick start, the Huskies fell 3-1 to the Canada West-leading T-Birds at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.

In the end, Saskatchewan couldn’t take advantage of six power play opportunities, including a four-minute double minor for kneeing assessed to UBC’s Mia Bierd in the third period.

The Huskies, which entered the weekend with the No. 1 penalty kill in Canada West, went four for six on the PK.

“The details in the game is what killed us,” Huskies head coach Steve Kook said afterwards.

COMEBACK VICTORY

Resilient effort lifts Huskies to shootout win over UBC

Feb 09, 2025

Senior night

The final home game of the season

Feb 09, 2025

Missed Opportunity

Huskie win streak snapped in Vancouver

Feb 08, 2025

“We need to make more direct plays at the net, try and find some pucks there. That’s what they were doing.”

Second-year Huskie Kendra Zuchotzki opened scoring four minutes into the first period with the team’s first shot on goal.

Her fifth goal of the season — and lone Huskies marker of the night — was assisted by fourth-year Kara Kondrat.

While Saskatchewan staved off their first penalty kill minutes later, they were unsuccessful on their second.

An unassisted power play goal from Cassidy Rhodes tied the score 1-1 in the final minute of the opening frame.

UBC then won the second period starting with their second special teams’ goal at 15:47. White Rock product Grace Elliott tipped that one in for her sixth of the season helped by second-year Annalise Wong.

The game winner was followed by an even-strength insurance marker at 17:48 from Saskatoon product Kailee Peppler, her first of the season, helped by Elliott and Joelle Fiala.

Huskies netminder Colby Wilson had her seventh start of the season Friday, which also marked her first time in net against UBC.

She was backed by first-year goaltender and Saskatoon product Emma Backman, who dressed in her first-career U Sports game.

Wilson ended the night with 25 saves while UBC’s Elise Hugens turned away 19.

The Huskies (11-8-3) maintain their fourth-place standing in Canada West with 27 points, while the Thunderbirds (15-2-0) keep their top ranking with 32 points.

Saskatchewan continues to play without several key players including forwards Mallory Dyer, Taylor Wilkinson and fourth-year captain Kennedy Brown. All three are recovering from injuries.

Goaltender Camryn Drever and fourth-year defenseman Isabella Pozzi were also out the lineup as they represent Team Canada at the Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games until Jan. 22.

Saskatchewan and UBC return to the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre for Saturday’s rematch at 5 p.m. CST.

HuskieFAN’s Daniella Ponticelli has the call live on huskiefan.ca and the HuskieFAN app.

—

daniella.ponticelli@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @dponticelliTV