In what will be a rematch of the final weekend of the first half of the conference schedule, the University of Regina's women's hockey team hosts the UBC Thunderbirds this Friday and Saturday in a critical two-game series at the Sherwood Ice Sports Centre.

The Thunderbirds got the better of the Cougars during their late November series, winning 7-0 in regulation and 2-1 in overtime to move into fourth place in the Canada West standings.

The two wins gave the Thunderbirds (5-6-1) 11 points and control of the last conference playoff spot heading into the Christmas break. The Cougars (3-5-4) sit just one point back of UBC in fifth place, while Lethbridge (3-7-2) lurks in sixth place with eight points.

The Cougars are led in points this season by fifth-year forward Kelsie Graham, who has seven (all assists) in 12 games. Rianne Wight has six points, while Kelcie McCutcheon and Gina Campbell both have five. Lisa Urban has started every game for Regina in net, and the third-year goalie sports a 2.57 goals-against average, a .921 save percentage, and a 3-6-3 record.

Third-year defenceman Tamara Pickford is tied for UBC's lead in goals (4) and is the team's outright leader in points (12). Lisa Bonang is also a scoring threat for the Thunderbirds, as the fourth-year forward has four goals and six assists through the first 12 games of the season. Melinda Choy, who has a 2.62 goals-against average and an .896 save percentage, has played every minute of every game so far this season for UBC.

Regina holds a 26-6-1 advantage in the all-time series between the two teams. The Cougars have a 12-1-1 all-time home record against UBC, with the Thunderbirds' lone victory in Regina coming on Feb. 3, 2006.

Both Friday's and Saturday's games will face off at 7 p.m.