VANCOUVER - With the midway point of the season just three weeks away, the UBC Thunderbirds (3-6-1) are going to have to make a late push before the winter break in order to gain better footing in the competitive Canada West playoff race.
With just four postseason spots available in the seven team conference, the T-Birds currently sit six points behind fourth place Saskatchewan. UBC does have two games in hand and they can make up some important ground with a strong showing against the Lethbridge Pronghorns this weekend at home. Both teams come into this weekend on six game losing skids and there is a lot on the line between these two schools.
The T-Birds and Horns are set to meet Friday and Saturday at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre with puck drop scheduled for 7:30 p.m. With the 2010 Winter Olympic Games just a few months away, this is the final weekend the T-Birds will play on the Olympic rink before moving to the Father Bauer Arena next door.
A look at the Thunderbirds
After a 3-0-1 start to the season, the Thunderbirds have struggled to match that success as they have dropped six straight. After a strong offensive start to the season, UBC has struggled to find the back of the net and they have just six goals in their last five games and have given up 34 goals during their current losing skid.
Justin McCrae and
Brandon Campos lead the T-Birds with nine points apiece with
Tyler Ruel the only other T-Bird among the top 40 in league scoring with seven points (one goal, six assists).
Francois Thuot got off to a hot start between the pipes but now he ranks eighth in the league with a 3.83 GAA and is ninth with a .870 save percentage.
A look at the Pronghorns
Lethbridge currently sits last in the Canada West with a 3-8-1 record, with all of their wins coming during the first six games. Two of their wins came over UBC (6-4, 2-1) but since that weekend sweep of the T-Birds, they have struggle mightily, losing six straight and surrendering 33 goals during their skid. Andrew Courtney is the team's top sniper with 11 goals to lead all Canada West skaters and he has 15 points on the season to rank tied for sixth in the league. Dustin Moore is among the top setup men in the Canada West with 10 helpers and ranks second on the 'Horns with 13 points. Goalie Scott Bowles ranks ninth in the league with a 4.10 GAA and eighth with a .885 save percentage.
Commemorative Olympic Venue pins available this Saturday
On Saturday night fans will have a chance to collect a commemorative Thunderbird Arena Olympic Venue pin. The UBC Thunderbirds will be handing these out for FREE, while quantities last.
The Noonar - Saturday, November 21
This Saturday's game also marks the UBC Thunderbirds men's hockey annual 'Noonar' alumni event. Every year, the T-Birds alumni get together to celebrate the history and future of the program. This year's event will honour Norm Park, one of the most loyal and strongest supporters of the T-Birds, who passed away this year.
