Box Score Game Summary

Paige Wheeler set up Hillary Lerat in the first period and Lerat returned the favour in the second as the University of Regina's women's hockey team edged the UBC Thunderbirds by a 2-1 score on Friday night at The Co-Operators Centre.

Lerat opened the scoring with her second of the season with six minutes left in the first period after taking a pass from Wheeler and beating UBC goalie Melinda Choy with a shot from the point.

A Lerat point shot was also responsible for the second Cougar goal. With the U of R enjoying a 5-on-4 advantage, Lerat fired a shot that was deflected home by Wheeler, giving the third-year forward her eighth goal of the season.

Wheeler's goal would turn out to be the game-winning marker, as UBC's Kelsey Kirkham scored three minutes into the third period to get the Thunderbirds to within one.

Lisa Urban shut the door from there, however, as the fourth-year goaltender stopped 12 of UBC's 13 shots in the third period – and 26 out of 27 in the game – to secure the team's sixth win of the season.

“I was happy with the way we played tonight,” Cougars head coach Sarah Hodges said following the win. “We started out real strong and had more opportunities to finish, but weren't able to. Otherwise I was extremely satisfied with our effort.”

Choy made 18 saves for UBC, which falls to 4-12-1 with the loss. The Cougars' Canada West record improves to 6-9-2 on the season.

The two teams will meet again at The Co-Operators Centre on Saturday night. Faceoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.