VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds (7-14-1) will be battling for their playoff lives this weekend at their home away from home, as they welcome the Saskatchewan Huskies (10-7-3) for a two-game series at Burnaby 8 Rinks (directions below). The Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre is now closed for non-Olympic related events.
Despite the relocation to Burnaby this weekend, start times for the games remain the same with puck drop scheduled for 7:30 p.m. both nights.
UBC is frantically trying to claw its way back into the playoff race with just six games left on their schedule. They must sweep the fourth placed Huskies this weekend to have any chance at the post season as Saskatchewan currently sits eight points ahead of UBC in the standings. The T-Birds will also need a lot of help down the stretch.
A look at the Thunderbirds
The T-Birds are coming off the worst weekend of their season, however, they have little time to feel sorry for themselves with the magnitude of this weekend's games. UBC lost 5-2 and 8-0 last weekend at home to the Lethbridge Pronghorns and the penalty filled affair (25 infractions, 109 PIM combined) shutout on Saturday was a tough way to end their on campus play this season.
UBC has struggled with stopping their opponent's attack and they now sit last in the league with 94 goals allowed. Rookie goalie
Jordan White is seeing more and more playing time as the season goes on. He has responded well with a 4-4-1 record.
Offensively, the T-Birds have been unable to regain their early season scoring form.
Tyler Ruel is tied for 11th in league scoring with 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) and
Brandon Campos also just cracks the top 20 with 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists), however, finding consistency on the scoresheet has been an issue all season long.
A look at the Huskies
Saskatchewan were the darlings of the 2008-09 season but they haven't been able to replicate that success this year. After a slow start, they quietly moved up the standings into a playoff spot, however, in 2010 they are just 1-1-2. That record may be a bit deceiving as they picked up a pair of one goal losses to conference leading Alberta last weekend but they are by no means in an ideal spot heading towards the playoffs.
Steven DaSilva, the 2009 CIS Rookie of the Year and Canada West Player of the Year, leads the Huskie attack but is having a sub standard year based on the lofty standards he set last season with only 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists) in 19 games. Rookie Kyle Bortis is having a fine campaign with 19 points in his first CIS season while defenceman Chad Greenan is tied for the league lead in rearguard scoring with 19 points (five goals, 14 assists).
The Huskies employ a pair of goalies with regularity and both rank in the top four in GAA. Rookie David Reekie is third in the league with a 2.51 GAA and .915 save percentage with veteran Jeff Harvey just behind on a 2.70 GAA and identical .915 save percentage.
Directions to Burnaby 8 Rinks
Take HWY 1 E
Take exit 32 for Sprott St and turn LEFT (east) onto Sprott St
Destination address: 6501 Sportt St
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