The University of Regina women's hockey team sailed to a 3-0 win against the UBC Thunderbirds on Friday night to take a 1-0 series lead in the Canada West semifinal series.

Brooklyn Moskowy, Carleen Meszaros and Jaycee Magwood all lit the lamp for the Cougars, while Toni Ross stopped every one of the 28 shots that were directed her way for her second consecutive playoff shutout.

Moskowy got the Cougars on the board late in the first period, after Emma Waldenberger came off the wall and put a backhand on net. Moskowy was in position in front and tipped the shot over the shoulder of Samantha Langford to break the deadlock and give the Cougars a 1-0 lead. Caitlin Dempsey also earned a helper on Moskowy's first of the playoffs.

The Cougars, who are still yet to trail in the postseason, found themselves in penalty trouble in the second period as Bailey Braden was assessed a five-minute major for cross checking. Krista Metz, Kylee Kupper and Stephanie Sawchuk also each received minor penalties in the middle frame, giving UBC five powerplay opportunities through two periods. Ross and the Cougars penalty kill was impressive, keeping the Thunderbirds' attack at bay.

"I thought our effort was great, and our penalty kill was phenomenal," head coach Sarah Hodges said following Friday's win. "We've handled adversity well and we've always been ready to keep competing."

Despite UBC's 21-10 advantage in shots on goal through two periods, it was Regina that added to their lead before the end of the second. The Thunderbirds were whistled for too many men after Sawchuk's minor for boarding. Right as Sawchuk's penalty expired, the Cougars set up their powerplay. It was the captain striking for the Cougars, as Meszaros put a low point shot towards the net that found it's way through traffic and under the pad of a screened Langford. Magwood and Jolene Kirkpatrick assisted on the marker.

The third career playoff goal for Meszaros came at the 19:08 mark of the second period and gave the Cougars a bit of breathing room.

Frustration started to boil over for UBC in the third period, as the Thunderbirds were whistled for four minor penalties. The most costly mistake for the home team in the third was a boarding call at the 9:57 mark by Logan Boyd. The Cougars had trouble gaining traction on the powerplay but once they finally got setup Kylie Gavelin (pictured) sent a pass to Tamara McVannel who found Magwood all alone at the right circle. The rookie out of Killarney, Man. ripped a shot that beat Langford high blocker side, essentially sealing the deal for the Cougars.

UBC played the final 3:02 with Langford on the bench, and though the T-Birds controlled possession for most of that time, they failed to put together any quality chances and test Ross in net.

"Having Toni back there really makes things easier on our defence," Hodges said of her fifth-year goaltender. "It's very key on the penalty kill, she's playing well and it's giving the entire team confidence."

The Cougars will look to complete the sweep of the Thunderbirds as Game 2 of the best-of-three series faces off at 7 p.m. local time on Saturday night.