VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds took the Calgary Dinos to the limit, but in the end the visiting Dinos ended up with a 2-1 shootout victory, sweeping the two-game weekend series at Father Bauer Arena.
UBC battled hard after allowing the first goal of the game early. Eventually
Justin McCrae notched the tying goal on a scramble in front of Calgary goalie Dustin Butler with 20 seconds left in regulation.
When the game headed to a shootout, Dinos captain Reid Jorgensen was the only one of eight shooters to convert his chance, when he deked backhand to forehand to beat
Jordan White.
UBC's
Tyler Ruel nearly put the game away on the second try of the shootout, but rang the puck off the goal post.
Despite two nights for gritty efforts, UBC couldn't come up with a win, leaving them 1-2-1 on the season.
“We have a team that's full of character. I thought we worked hard and were tough to play against,” said UBC head coach Milan Dragicevic. “When we figure out a way to score goals, we're going to be a team to be reckoned with in this league. The other parts of our game are better than they were last year. We have to find a way to get greasy goals and offensive contributions from everyone.”
Saturday's game was also a special teams showcase, with each team getting eight power play opportunities. Neither team was able to capitalize in 16 combined man-advantage situations.
For Dragicevic, his team's struggling power play is the biggest concern.
“I thought we had our chances on the power play. We moved the puck around pretty well. We just have to find a way to capitalize. We have to execute. Getting shots is great, but we have to score. That's the difference.”
“Our PK was great today, especially in the third period and in overtime,” continued Dragicevic. “Guys were sacrificing, blocking shots, and sticking to the system. Defensively, we're sound. We're keeping teams to under 25 shots on average.”
The lone Calgary goal in regulation came from a streaking Colton Grant, who netted a cross-ice pass from Torrie Wheat on a two-on-one.
After that,
Jordan White was perfect. His unbelievable sprawling save on a Dinos breakaway in the final minute of the second period kept the Blue and Gold within a goal, and was one of the key plays of the night.
“White is playing with a lot of confidence - he's challenging the shooters, and our players believe in him,” said Dragicevic. “He's our go-to guy. If he plays like that every game, then we have a chance to win every game.”
The Thunderbirds hit the road for a pair of games at Regina next weekend. Calgary, meanwhile, returns home for a pair of tilts against their rivals from Alberta.
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