VANCOUVER - For the second straight night, the UBC Thunderbirds defeated the visiting Portage College Voyageurs. Once again, the 'Birds got out to a slow start, but soon took over the game, finishing with a 6-3 win.
Head coach Milan Dragicevic was pleased with the win, but felt as if his team is capable of playing better hockey.
“It was nice that we scored some goals, but as far as the structure and the systems, we have to get back to basics,” explained Dragicevic. “It was nice to play these exhibition games, but we have to get down to real work right now.”
The Voyageurs and T-Birds exchanged a pair of goals in the first period, with Portage taking a one-goal lead on Shawn Shackleton's two-on-one effort, while
Brandon Campos answered on a T-Birds power play to tie the game.
Like the night before, UBC took over after taking the early part of the game to get warmed up. A pair of goals in the second period, one from
Bryce Lamb and the other by
Craig Lineker, gave the Blue and Gold a two-goal lead. UBC would never give up that advantage.
In fact, it wouldn't take them long to add to it, as
Justin McCrae closed the gap on the Portage goaltender and drained his second of the night to extend the T-Birds lead to three.
Despite the bursts of strong play, Dragicevic knows it's going to take more to defeat the #1 ranked Alberta Golden Bears when UBC hits the road to open the second half of the regular season on January 7.
“These games aren't even close to what we need to do in Alberta,” said Dragicevic. “We have to elevate our play so much more from a structural standpoint, individual standpoint, and preparation standpoint. There were way too many mistakes made in both games.”
Scoring his second goal of the night, Matthew Foster got the Voyageurs to within two on a shot that beat T-Birds goalie
Jordan White between the pads. But Scott
Wasden was quick to restore the UBC lead with a goal of his own, the last of the game.
2011 promises some tough tasks for the Thunderbirds, but Dragicevic is confident his squad will be ready for the drive to the post-season.
“Our players know that every game for us is a playoff game,” says Dragicevic. “It's mandatory for us to pick up points on the road. We've got to go to Alberta and win games on the road. We're good enough to do it and that's what we've got to do.”
The T-Birds next games are January 7 and 8 when they head to Edmonton to face Alberta.
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