EDMONTON – Fourth-year Chanreet Bassi had a goal and an assist in an explosive second period to lead the reigning Canada West champion UBC Thunderbirds to an opening night victory over the Alberta Pandas 3-2 Friday night at Clare Drake Arena.

Bassi was joined on the scoresheet by Joelle Fiala and Grace Elliot for the visitors, while Maia Ehmann and Jadynn Morden potted the Pandas scores. Fiala scored the game winner with just 40 seconds left in the game to hand the victory to the top-ranked Thunderbirds. Pandas goalie Halle Oswald was busy in the contest, stopping 33/36 UBC shots on the night.

The game was close throughout, but the Pandas were unable to overcome a dominant UBC second period in which they outshot the hosts 23-3, and outscored them 2-1.

With the victory, the TBirds (24-2-2, 1^st CW in 2022-23) move to 1-0-0 on the young season, while the Pandas drop to 0-1-0 (21-6-1, 2^nd CW in 2022-23). They also spoiled the debut of Pandas first-year coach Darren Bilawchuk, who is the acting head coach after the 26-year reign of coach Howie Draper ended this preseason when he accepted a position with the New York PWHL franchise.

After a quiet first in which both teams controlled play, the second period was anything but. A minute into the period Elliot was able to score the opening goal of the season off a feed from Jacquelyn Fleming to put the 'Birds up 1. Just three minutes later the reigning UBC points leader Bassi was able to slot one home on the powerplay to give the visitors a two-goal advantage. While the Pandas struggled to contain a ferocious visiting attack, as well as maintaining discipline taking four penalties in the frame, they were able to steal one back when Maia Ehmann scored with five minutes left to send the game into the second intermission at 2-1 UBC.

Halfway through the last frame, Morden was able to knot the game at 2 off a great pass from Ehmann that was able to beat the UBC netminder Elise Hugens, who went 23/25 on the night. However, with just 40 seconds left in regulation Fiala slotted a beautiful shot past Oswald for the game winner, and sent UBC home with a 3-2 victory.

The teams return to action tomorrow at Clare Drake Arena, puck drop happening at 2:00 PM.