The University of Regina women's hockey team came away with a hard-fought 3-2 win in a critical Canada West matchup with the UBC Thunderbirds on Saturday night.

Jolene Kirkpatrick, Meghan Sherven and Alexis Larson scored for the Cougars, who move to 12-9-4-1 and get within a point of UBC for first place in Canada West. Mathea Fischer and Logan Boyd replied for UBC (12-8-4-2).

Kirkpatrick was an unlikely source of offence for the Cougars, as she got things going for the visiting team just over a minute into the second period after a scoreless opening frame. The third-year defenceman from Truax, Sask. was thrown into the fire after Kylie Gavelin's skate broke. Kirkpatrick was sent out with Jaycee Magwood and Stephanie Sawchuk and scored her first career Canada West goal on a shot from a bad angle.

Sherven doubled the Cougars lead just 22 seconds later as she was able to roof one past Danielle Dube after a scramble for her sixth of the year. Bailey Braden and Kylee Kupper assisted on the goal.

UBC would answer back on the powerplay a few minutes later after Larson was tagged with a hooking penalty. Fischer was able to capitalize off a setup from Rebecca Unrau and Kelly Murray. The Thunderbirds would carry that momentum through the rest of the period and it paid off at the 16:18 mark when Boyd was able to beat Toni Ross. Celine Tardiff and Jenna Carpenter-Boesch collected helpers on Boyd's eighth of the year.

UBC dominated the third period, outshooting Regina 12-3 in the frame, but Ross was a wall in net. Kathleen Cahoon was sent in on a breakaway midway through the period but Ross calmly turned aside the backhand attempt.

Murray was sent to the box for a bodychecking penalty late in the third, and the Cougars took advantage. Krista Metz ripped a shot from the point and Larson deflected it past Dube for what turned out to be the game winner. Gavelin also assisted on Larson's fifth.

Ross made 24 saves on the game for her 16th win of the season. Dube stopped 17 Cougar shots.

The Cougars will close their season next weekend with a pair of games against the Saskatchewan Huskies. Friday's contest will be at The Co-operators Centre and Saturday's rematch will take place in Saskatoon.

Regina could finish anywhere from first to fourth in the conference depending on next weekend's outcomes.

NOTE: Alberta defeated Saskatchewan 2-1 on Saturday in double overtime, putting them a point behind the Cougars.