Pandas face 3-0 shutout after coming of a weekend sweep

Box Score

The University of Alberta’s Pandas hockey team hosted the University of British Columbia’s Thunderbirds on October 25. Over the course of 118 games in Canada West history, the Pandas have beaten the Thunderbirds an outstanding 85 times. The Pandas were 5-1-0 heading into the game after a 2-0 sweep against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies the weekend prior.

Pandas struggle to gain their momentum throughout the game

Meadow Carman for the Thunderbirds got a penalty for tripping early in the game, followed by Pandas player Natalie Kieser for goaltender interference. Jadynn Morden for the Pandas received a body-checking penalty after getting aggressive at the boards. The Pandas started the second period on the power play after Sophia Gaskell got a penalty for cross checking.

The Pandas struggled throughout the first period, especially on their positional awareness and speed out of the defensive zone. Failed forecheck plays by multiple players kept the puck buried in their defensive zone.

The Thunderbirds scored their first goal of the game at 55 seconds and the Pandas were not quick to recover. When given the time, they could have executed breakaway opportunities. The problem was little structure in the defensive zone. Collectively, they had little awareness to where each player was, leading to a lack of speed heading into the offence.

This is inconsistent for the Pandas, whose style of play at the beginning of the season was strong positional awareness and aggressiveness out of the defensive zone.

Chanreet Bassi for the Thunderbirds started the second by getting a penalty for head contact, and ended the period with a penalty for slashing. Although it gave the Pandas another five on four advantage to start the third, not that much came of it. Kieser got a two-minute minor for slashing halfway through the second.

The star of the second period was the Pandas’ defence, notably Taylor Anker. She was essential during the power play and rushed into the offensive zone for shots on goal.

While the Pandas’ defence kept the Thunderbirds from scoring in the second, they struggled to bury the puck deep in the offence.

The Pandas started the third with a remarkable amount of time spent in the offensive zone compared to the first two periods. This was assisted by fewer interruptions in play than that seen in the first two periods. Constant line changes when transitioning between zones led to odd man scoring opportunities for the Thunderbirds.

Morden got a two-minute minor for body-checking after a hit that could have been a five-minute major due its aggressiveness. Pandas Captain Izzy Lajoie followed with a penalty for cross-checking, giving the Thunderbirds a five on three advantage for one minute, during which they scored.

A huge fight broke out near the Thunderbirds’ net after a hold on Lajoie, resulting in a four-minute double minor for roughing and head contact to Thunderbirds player Karine Sandilands. Kieser got a two-minute minor for roughing. With 40 seconds left in play, Thunderbirds player Kennesha Miswaggon got a penalty for cross-checking.

Fans saw several notable players throughout the game

Morden proved to be a bit too aggressive throughout the game, especially for a game that does not allow hits. This style of play may improve team morale and make up for the increase in penalty minutes, however time will tell.

Throughout the game, Anker shined on defence while being essential to the Pandas’ power play unit. She was one of few players who rushed into the offensive zone to gain immediate shots on goal. As well, she was a key player that limited the Thunderbirds to only three goals.

Maia Ehmann gained two shots on goal throughout the game and demonstrated play driving abilities into the offence.

Lajoie played surprisingly little during the first half of the game. She later made herself open in the offence and was a play-maker while attempting to exit the defensive zone.

The Pandas lost the game with a score of 3-0 and will have the next weekend off. They will return to play the MacEwan Griffins on November 8.