VANCOUVER - A significant advantage in scoring chances wasn't enough for the UBC Thunderbirds to mount a comeback on Friday night, as they fought back from a 2-0 deficit but still lost 3-2 to the Calgary Dinos at Father Bauer Arena.
The T-Birds outshot Calgary 34-21 and missed several point-blank chances throughout the game. They also had twice as many chances on the powerplay, and were able to create scoring opportunities with the extra man after being shutout on the powerplay last week, but still couldn't overcome an opportunistic Calgary squad.
"We outchanced them and we had the territory for most of the game," said UBC head coach Milan Dragicevic. "Our effort was there but the execution in front of their net wasn't, and that's the difference. They had a couple of chances to score and they buried them. We had tons of chances to score and didn't beat them."
The T-Birds got their first powerplay goal of the year on a five-on-three opportunity in the second period after their special teams were shut out last week against Alberta. However, their penalty kill unit that was nearly impenetrable against the Golden Bears proved to be the home side's weak spot on Friday, with Calgary netting two goals on just three powerplay opportunities.
"I thought we moved the puck well on the powerplay today," said Dragicevic. "We generated some chances and it gave us momentum, but today the penalty kill let us down."
Reid Jorgensen opened the scoring for the Dinos with a one-timer from the high slot less than five minutes into the game, and he doubled the Calgary lead on the powerplay later in the first with another one-timer, this time finishing from the side of the net after a slick cross-crease pass from Torrie Wheat.
Jorgensen also assisted on what turned out to be the game-winner late in the second. With his Dinos again on the powerplay, he picked out Wheat alone at the far post, who made no mistake in banging the puck home to put the visitors up 3-1.
Craig Lineker got the 'Birds on the board in the second at the tail end of a five-on-three chance that lasted a full two minutes. After the 'Birds missed on two one-timers from the high slot back-to-back, Lineker proved that the third time is a charm, winding up from the same spot on the ice once more and beating Dinos goalie Kris Lazaruk with a blast into the top corner.
After the Dinos went ahead 3-1, UBC's
Scott Wasden made it a one goal game again midway through the third. He carried the puck into the offensive zone on a two-on-one and finished it himself, picking off the top corner on the near side.
Lazaruk made 32 saves to help his side hang on for the win. Calgary is now 3-2-0 on the year and are riding a three-game win streak.
Jordan White had 18 saves in a losing effort for the 'Birds.
The T-Birds fall to 1-2-0, but will have a chance to get back to .500 tomorrow night when they wrap up their weekend set with the Dinos. The puck drops at 7 p.m. on Saturday at UBC's Father Bauer Arena.
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