NISKU, Alta. – It was a night to forget for the Pandas (1-7-1), as they were unable to keep pace with the top-ranked team in U SPORTS, the UBC Thunderbirds (7-2).

The T-Birds scored all six of their goals in the first two periods, two of them on the power play. Grace Glover played well in relief, coming off the bench late in the second period and making 16 saves without allowing a goal.

After the T-Birds took the lead with a goal from Hanna Perrier, the Pandas had the opportunity to get level with consecutive power plays midway through the opening period. But despite a couple of good chances off the stick of Abby Soyko, the hosts were unable to beat Mya Lucifora in the UBC goal.

The Thunderbirds stretched out their lead late in the first, with goals from Tayah Wallace and Maggie Rauckman less than two minutes apart. That put the visitors up 3-0 heading into the break, with the Pandas facing a big hole to try and climb out of.

That hole grew larger in the second, with a pair of goals from Jacquelyn Fleming and one from Ilona Markova. The Pandas picked up their play as the night went on, holding the T-Birds scoreless for the final 25+ minutes despite multiple penalties, but were unable to get consistent offence going.

The two teams will face off again tomorrow night, with puck drop set for 7:00 p.m. inside the Silent Ice Center.