EDMONTON - The University of Calgary Dinos found their offence contained on Friday night as the University of Alberta Pandas came away with a 2-1 win on home ice.
Hannah Olenyk and Ashley Morin provided all the offence Alberta needed in the first period, scoring each of Alberta's goals. Dayna Owen made seven saves for her third win of the season, as the Pandas improved to 3-1-0-1 this season.
Sage Desjardins scored the Dinos lone goal in the second period, while starting goalie
Kelsey Roberts was sensational on Friday night, stopping 28 of the 30 shots thrown her way. The loss is the fourth of the season for Calgary, who fall to 1-3-0-1.
The host Pandas wasted little time taking over the game, scoring twice in the first six minutes. Olenyk started the offence just five minutes in, scoring her second by beating Roberts on a breakaway. Morin doubled the lead just 40 seconds later, beating Roberts for her second of the season as well.
The Dinos scored on their first shot of the game 4:08 into the second period. After Chelsea Dearsley was sent off for boarding, the Dinos quickly capitalized on the player-advantage. Three quick passes by the visitors left Desjardins wide open on the side of the crease, who tapped in a silky pass from
Laine Grace. Despite adding another seven shots in the second, the Dinos couldn't find the equalizer, trailing by one after 40.
Alberta controlled the puck for long stretches in the third, not even allowing the Dinos to pull Roberts for the extra attacker. To her credit, Roberts held the Dinos in the game with a trio of fantastic saves in the third period.
The battle of Alberta will continue tomorrow night, as the Dinos host the Pandas in the second half of their home-and-home series. Puck drop is 6:00 p.m. from the Father David Bauer Arena.