Pandas trample Dinos to end series

By Ashton Chugh, March 5 2015 —

The Dinos women’s hockey team was eliminated from the Canada West semifinals after losing game two by a score of 4–3 against the University of Alberta Pandas on Feb. 28 in Edmonton.

The Dinos lost in overtime as Canada West all-rookie team selection and Pandas forward Hannah Olenyk scored two minutes in on a breakaway after receiving a pass from forward Alison Campbell.

After winning game one 4–2, the Pandas charged out of the gates in game two in hopes of booking their ticket to the Canada West Championships.
After dominating the puck for most of the first period, the Pandas found the back of the net with 2:30 left to go as forward Lindsey Cunningham beat Dinos goalie Hayley Dowling to make it 1–0.

The Pandas continued their assault on Dowling in the second, putting up 11 shots to Calgary’s seven. Forward Jessica Kamjes made it 2–0 for U of A after circling the net and putting it through Dowling’s five hole at 10:31 of the second period.

Dinos forward Heather Berzins responded two minutes later to close the gap to 2–1.

In the dying seconds of the period — fresh off winning a gold medal for team Russia at the 2015 Winter Universiade — Dinos forward Iya Gavrilova took a shot from the point, which forward Jenna Smith re-directed in to tie the game at two goals apiece.

Down by one goal with a minute left in the third, Dinos head coach Danielle Goyette pulled Dowling from net for the extra attacker. The gamble paid off as Gavrilova found forward Janelle Parent next to the net who beat Pandas goalie Lindsey Post with one second left on the clock to send the game to overtime.

However, the Dinos’ celebration was short lived as the No. 1 ranked U of A secured their trip to the Canada West Championships with their goal in overtime.

The Dinos’ season is not over yet. As hosts of the CIS national championship, they are given an automatic spot in the tournament, which goes March 12–15 at the Markin MacPhail Centre in Calgary.

The Dinos’ first game will be on March 12 at 7 p.m. Their opponent hasn’t been announced.