VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds fell to 3-4-1 on the year after losing to the Alberta Golden Bears 8-1 on Saturday night at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.
The Bears didn't waste any time in building their lead on Saturday, as Ian McDonald put them out in front just two minutes into the contest. Lee Zalasky's pass across the slot left UBC goalie
Francois Thuot out of position, giving him no chance to stop McDonald's shot from the right circle.
Alberta doubled its lead just before the halfway point of the first when Derek Ryan scored on a similar play, this time with the Bears on the powerplay.
The visitors picked up where they left off early in the second, with Colin Joe making it a 3-0 Alberta lead less than two minutes into the frame on a superb passing play. Brian Woolger and Chad Klassen passed the puck back-and-forth across the slot before Joe finished it with a low shot from the left circle.
UBC quickly pulled one back, as
Matthew Schneider redirected
Bill Smith's pass past Bears goalie Travis Yonkman from the side of the net a few minutes later. That was where the positives ended for UBC though, as the Bears went on to score five unanswered goals, outshooting the T-Birds 35-23 in the process.
Thuot was chased from the game after McDonald picked up his second of the night shortly after UBC's goal. He was replaced by
Jordan White after allowing four goals on 12 shots. White didn't have it any easier though, as Klassen, Greg Gardner, Reade Wolansky, Kyle Fecho all lit the lamp for Alberta while he was between the pipes.
Alberta improves to 8-1-1 on the year and now leads the Canada West by three points. Klassen had three points on the night to extend his lead in the conference scoring race. He now has eight goals and 12 assists for a conference-best 20 points on the year.
UBC will be on the road next weekend for a series against the Calgary Dinos, while Alberta will be in Lethbridge to take on the Pronghorns.
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