Hugens leads T-Birds into the Canada West Finals

VANCOUVER, B.C. – With their backs against the wall and facing elimination, the Trinity Western Spartans put forward a concerted effort on Saturday afternoon, but UBC rode another steady performance between the pipes from Elise Hugens to advance to its fifth consecutive Canada West finals.

The 3-1 victory sends the T-Birds to the championship round where they will await the winner of Mount Royal and Manitoba, who are knotted at one game apiece in a best-of-three series. 

The first period was a closely contested affair with neither team surrendering any golden opportunities. Hugens and Spartans netminder Kate Fawcett made key saves when called upon, but for the second time in as many games, Jaylyn Morris stepped up and found the back of the net with a seeing-eye shot that snatched the top corner. 

"Especially in playoff hockey, it is so important to get a great start and get the first goal to help everyone take a breath. When Morris got that one, it put them back on their heels because when you go down one nothing and you're facing a strong goaltender, it puts that doubt in their mind," said head coach Graham Thomas.

Down a goal, the Spartans' top line went to work in the latter half of the period, but the dynamic trio of Kyra McDonald, Chloe Reid and Kailey Ledoux were thwarted by both Hugens and the timely shot blocking of UBC's frontline.

Seeking a comeback, penalties proved costly in the second as Trinity Western surrendered five powerplay opportunities to the top-ranked special teams unit in Canada West. The extra space to operate paid off as Jacquelyn Fleming and Ilona Markova traded goals on the powerplay to put UBC up 3-0 entering the third period.

"I'm so proud of my team. Everyone has been helping me every day to be part of this team," Markova said. "My line works so hard and our powerplay has been watching video to learn how we can do better. Of course it feels good to score a goal but I am just happy to help my team."

Trinity Western played with as much firepower as possible in the third period in an effort to get back in the game, but it was too little too late. A scorching one-timer on the powerplay off the stick of Sadie Isfeld made things interesting in the game's closing moments, but Hugens shut the door to close out the victory.

"She was amazing for us all weekend. It's a huge thing for us to have her between the pipes and no one is worried about making a mistake because she gives us so much confidence," Thomas said.

With the loss, a terrific season for Trinity Western comes to a close. The Spartans' quarterfinal sweep of the Dinos was a milestone for the program, but TWU was unable to find its offensive rhythm due to the stellar goaltending of Hugens, who surrendered only one goal the entire weekend. 

The T-Birds will keep an eye on a do-or-die matchup between the east division leading MRU Cougars and Manitoba Bisons, who go head-to-head tomorrow with a chance to advance to the Canada West championship.

"That's a great series and both of those teams play a very disciplined game. Plus, Manitoba has been one of the hottest teams down the stretch. Whoever we play, we need to stick to and build on our game and be ready for what comes," Thomas said.

The victor will punch their ticket for a date with destiny at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre, where UBC will look to defend home ice in its quest for a championship on Friday, March 6th. A time for puck drop is to be announced. Tickets will be available online or at the door. Fans can also stream the game on Canada West TV - Powered by BioSteel.