British Columbia: T-Birds Already Double Their Wins from Last Season

The first appearance behind the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds bench for new Head Coach Graham Thomas came at the Mandi Schwartz Challenge in Regina, Saskatchewan.

With an embarrassment of riches at the goaltender position, each match saw a different netminder occupy the crease. “We have an interesting dynamic in goaltending. It’s competitive and they are pushing each other to be better,” said Thomas.

A September 21 contest versus the Regina Cougars saw the T-Birds lose the lead, and eventually the match by a 3-2 tally.

Top prospect Danielle Lemon (Madison, Wis.) was in net for the visceral loss.

Lemon, a dual citizen of Canada and the U.S., had played for the Madison Capitols and committed to the Wisconsin Badgers in NCAA Division I. In addition, she was a prominent lacrosse player and was named All-State.   

The following day, the squad bounced back as Tatiana Rafter logged the game winner in a 3-2 victory over the Saskatchewan Huskies.

Former Canadian national team member Danielle Dube stood between the pipes for UBC, and was a big factor in the win.

She's only the third woman to have played professional hockey in an all-men team, appearing with the Long Beach Ice Dogs. A firefighter and a mother of two, Dube’s experience and maturity will make her one of the team’s leaders this season.

Samantha Langford appeared in the final contest, a Sept. 23 date with the Balmoral Hall Blazers, a prominent high school team from Winnipeg.

The T-Birds ran away with a 6-1 victory, while their two wins during the tournament doubled their win total from the season before.  

Competing in the Canada West conference, every win for the T-Birds  is an important one.

“Of all the conferences in Canada, we feel it is the strongest,” said Thomas.

Coming off a dismal one win season, the new look squad is ready to put the past behind them and build towards a much brighter future.

All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated