This week: Manitoba at UBC, Fri. & Sat., Nov. 19 & 20, 7:00 p.m., Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre
A look at the Thunderbirds
The Thunderbirds are back from a visit to the University of Saskatchewan last weekend that saw UBC take one point in an overtime loss and then lose in regulation the following night. The games versus the Huskies were critical as the teams were tied for fourth in Canada West heading into the weekend.
The good news from the trip is the return of first line forward
Justin McCrae. McCrae had missed a game the previous weekend due to injury, but was back in the mix immediately scoring and contributing on special teams. McCrae leads the team with nine points in ten games.
In McCrae's absence,
Ben Schmidt had received a promotion to the first line. Schmidt started the year in a checking role, but now leads the Blue and Gold with five goals. As a result, Schmidt has received increased responsibilities and ice time, including a spot on the point on the power play. The first year player has been a boost to the T-Birds, and will bring his brand of high-energy hockey to the games against the Bisons.
UBC goaltender
Jordan White has also shouldered a ton of responsibility this season. White is the only goalie in the conference to have played in every game on the schedule. White is coming off a shutout in his last home ice appearance.
A look at the Bisons
The no. 5 ranked Manitoba Bisons arrive at UBC with just two regulation losses in ten games. Their aggressive style and highly skilled squad will present the Thunderbirds with one of their stiffest tests in the first half of the season.
The Bisons are backed by one of Canada West's best goalies, Steve Christie. The CIS veteran sports the conference's best goals-against-average with 1.60. He also has two shutouts in nine games.
On offence, Manitoba is led by three players among the top ten scorers in Canada West. Blair MacAulay has seven goals and seven assists in ten games this year. Meanwhile, fellow forwards Nolan Walker and Jared Walker each have a point per game over the first ten contests of the season. Bison rookie Jeremy Schappert is second among Canada West defencemen with eight points in ten games.
Coach Dragicevic on...
The team's mood following the losses to Saskatchewan:
“The mood has been very positive. We deserved a better result in Saskatchewan. I thought we played hard in two playoff style games, we competed and even though the result wasn't flattering, I thought we played well. Their goalie was unreal, and we just didn't execute in front of the net. That was the difference.”
Matching up with Manitoba:
“We're playing against a high pressure team, and a team that likes to forecheck and activate defense and get pucks deep. They're a very skilled team. For us to be successful we have to be physical, get pucks to the net, and keep dump ins away from their goalie.”
The return of Justin McCrae:
“Justin is our number one centreman. He plays against the opposition's top lines all the time. He plays power play, pk, and five-on-five. He's one of the more complete players in Canada West. He's only getting better and better. Once he finds more chemistry with Desloges and Grassi that's going to be a potent line for the remaining 18 games of the season.”
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