Women’s Hockey News

Women’s Hockey

UBC knocks off X-Women with 3-2 OT win on Friday afternoon

U SPORTS Staff

MONTREAL, QC. (U SPORTS) - Sophia Gaskell scored the OT winner and her second of the game to lead the No. 2-seeded UBC Thunderbirds to a 3-2 OT win over the No. 7 STFX X-Women in the third quarterfinal of the 2023 U SPORTS Women’s Hockey Championships at CEPSUM in Montreal, Friday. Gaskell added an assist for three points in the big win for UBC.

Rylind Mackinnon opened the scoring with a powerplay goal for UBC at the 15:05 mark in a period that was littered with penalties. The X-Women took six penalties, including one at the buzzer, which limited their opportunities. UBC led 1-0 after an eventful opening 20 minutes.

STFX had their own opportunities on the powerplay in the second but failed to capitalize on two early advantages. The teams combined for 31 shots through two periods, but the goalies stood tall, and UBC maintained their 1-0 lead after two.

Both teams found the net in the third, with Sophia Gaskell extending UBC’s lead to 2-0. Ellie Brown responded just over a minute later with a goal of her own for STFX, and Lauren Dabrowski found the equalizer a few minutes later. This game headed to overtime after neither team could finish it in regulation.

Sophia Gaskell found the game-winner with a powerful point shot to send UBC through to the championship semi-final after a thrilling back-and-forth game.

UBC’s Elise Hugens stopped 27 of 29 shots she faced, earning the win in net for the Thunderbirds. STFX’s Jamie Johnson was named player of the game for her 25-of-27 save performance.

With the win, UBC advances to Saturday’s championship semifinal, where they will play the winner of the Concordia-Nipissing game at 7:00 p.m. (Eastern). STFX will face the loser of Concordia-Nipissing in a consolation semifinal on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. (Eastern). All games at the championship can be seen on CBC Sports digital platforms (English) and at usports.ca (French).

Nike Player of the Game:

  • STFX: Jamie Johnson 
  • UBC : Rylind MacKinnon