CALGARY – Kate Wagner scored the game-winning goal in overtime to lead the University of Calgary Dinos women's hockey team to a 2-1 win over the No. 2-ranked UBC Thunderbirds on Saturday afternoon at Father David Bauer Arena.

Coming off a 4-1 setback on Friday evening, Calgary got a much-needed bounce-back performance to help them keep pace in Canada West's West Division.

The Dinos are now 6-4-1-1 on the year, while the T-Birds sit at 11-2-1-0.

"We showed a lot of pride today and learned from our mistakes," said Calgary head coach Josh Gosling. "It was a completely different game than yesterday." 

Calgary and UBC traded scoring chances during a fast-paced opening period before the home team struck first mid-way through.

Emma Tait carried the puck into the offensive zone before dropping it back to Josie McLeod. The Dinos fourth-year forward carried ahead and released a shot that bounced on the UBC goaltender Elise Hugens and found its way into the net.

The Thunderbirds slowly gained momentum as the game progressed and pilled on the shots at Dinos netminder Amelia Awad, who stopped 16 shots through the first 40 minutes.

But with a solid start to the third period, UBC broke through and tied the game.

Just under four minutes into the third, Grace Elliott showed off her speed and weaved past a defender before tucking a shot past Awad. The goal was Elliott's conference-leading ninth goal of the season.

The T-Birds continued to apply pressure, but the Dinos' defence held up and limited the quality of their chances. 

"Even when we got scored on, we still played hard," said Awad.

The Dinos began overtime with a power play, and just as the penalty expired, Wagner unloaded a heavy point shot that sailed into the back of the net before Hugens had a chance at it.

Awad finished the game with 25 saves, while Hugens turned away 17 attempts.

"After yesterday, all our players went home and reflected on what needed to change. We showed up today as a whole new team and really played together," added Awad.

The Dinos travel to Winnipeg next weekend for a two-game set versus the Manitoba Bisons, beginning Friday, Nov. 22. UBC will head into a bye week before returning to action on Friday, Nov. 29 against those same Bisons.

-UC-