Randy SavoieThe University of Alberta Pandas hockey team opened their season with a loss last Friday, something they haven’t done since 2010.
The loss was a tough one, as the Pandas and their opponents, the Manitoba Bisons, were locked in a 1-1 tie late in the third period, when Bisons forward Lauryn Keen pounced a rebound in front of the Pandas net, putting home the eventual winning goal.
Pandas head coach Howie Draper said it was a sloppy game to open the season.
“That game really could’ve gone either way, I think both teams were still trying to find their feet,” Draper said.
Despite the loss, the Pandas responded well in their second game of the weekend, winning in convincing fashion, 4-0. Goaltender Lindsay Post picked up right where she left off last year, recording her first shutout of the season. She accumulated ten in total last season.
“I think we upped our tempo and our intensity,” Draper said. “We played fast, and smart, and stuck to our system.”
The Pandas came out a different team on Sunday, building a 2-0 lead after the first. Early in the period, after a Bisons tripping penalty, forward Tess Houston was able to convert on the power play to give her team the early advantage. Janelle Froehler added another goal nearly ten minutes later on a deflection.
There was no scoring in the second period, but the Pandas were able to hold the Bisons to six shots in the frame, still controlling the play despite not being able to increase their lead.
The Pandas really pressed home their advantage in the third, getting an early goal from Erin Braddock, and then put the game beyond doubt with an Allison Campbell goal with just over a minute left in the third period.
Deanna Morin finished with two assists, and defenceman Natasha Steblin also tallied an assist to go along with the lone goal in Friday’s game, giving her a two-point weekend.
The Pandas will now look to build off their win on Sunday going into their home opener against the Lethbridge Pronghorns.
“I think we just have to remind the girls of what helped us find success in that second game,” Draper said.
The Pronghorns were last in Canada West last year, posting a meager 6-21-1 record, including four losses to the Pandas where they were outscored 17-2. Despite this, they have found success early this year, beating the UBC Thunderbirds in both of their opening games this weekend. This was no small feat, as UBC only finished three points behind the first place Pandas last year.
Draper spoke about not letting this become a trap game for his team. “Obviously they’re serious about competing this year,” Draper said. “I think it would be detrimental for us to think that it was going to be easy, particularly considering the results of the weekend.”
The Pandas now return home for their home opening games against the aforementioned Pronghorns, and Draper spoke about how that could provide an energy boost for his team.
“There will be a lot of parents in the stands, and I think the girls will want to show them what they’re been working on,” Draper said. “Hopefully we’ll be right where we need to be in terms of our level of activation, and take care of business.”
The Pandas games against the Pronghorns will take place on Friday, Oct. 9, and Saturday, Oct. 10. The Bisons meanwhile, will head to Regina to play the Cougars on those same dates.
