VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds had their power play shut down by the University of Alberta Golden Bears in a 6-2 loss at Father Bauer Arena on Saturday. The 'Birds went 0-6 on the power play, allowing the Bears to take over in the second period as the visitors never looked back.
UBC kept pace early, taking a 2-2 score into the first intermission.
Mike Liambas opened the scoring with an awkward shot from the corner that deflected off Alberta goalie Kurtis Mucha and into the net.
Dalton Pajak had the other UBC goal, roofing a pass from
Max Grassi in traffic at the front of the net as both goals eliminated leveled the score line after Alberta had taken a lead.
But after those two goals, the T-Birds had problems getting pucks to the net.
The trouble began when UBC couldn't get set up for three minutes of a five-minute power play. The 'Birds then found their advantage cut short due to a penalty. On the ensuing four-on-four, Colin Joe put home a backdoor pass from Chad Klassen to give Alberta the lead.
“We had to score on our power play,” said UBC head coach Milan Dragicevic. “They're a good hockey team and they took all our options away. We didn't work hard enough down low to get second opportunities. And that was the difference. We need to work a lot harder to get to loose pucks and rebounds, and tonight we didn't.”
Chad Klassen opened the scoring for the Bears by tipping a shot over
Jordan White's shoulder early in the first period. Klassen picked up his second goal on a short-handed break away in the second period, roofing a wrist shot glove side.
Sean Ringrose, Greg Gardner, and Ian Barteaux had the other Alberta goals.
Next up for UBC are a pair of home games October 22 and 23 when the Thunderbirds host the University of Calgary Dinos. Puck drop is 7:00 p.m. at Father Bauer Arena.
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