Vancouver, BC - Nearly eight months to the day since being knocked out the 2012 post season, the UBC Thunderbirds men's hockey team will be seeking redemption this weekend as they make the trip to Calgary to take on the seventh ranked team in the nation for a pair of games.
Last February the Thunderbirds and Dinos met in the quarter-finals of the 2012 Canada West playoffs. UBC led the best of three series 1-0, but then would lose the next two games, the third and deciding game by a 3-2 score, to send their season to a crashing halt.
"We are absolutely motivated by what happened in last year's playoffs," said head coach Milan Dragicevic. "They have become our biggest rivals and we feel there is no better way to show them how we feel about the last time we met then coming away with four points this weekend. We believe we have upgraded our talent to match the skill set of Calgary and we are quite comfortable playing at their rink (Father David Bauer Arena), so it should be a great battle."
The Thunderbirds started the season with a win and a shootout loss against the Regina Cougars and then last weekend had an impressive trip down to Colorado, taking on three Division 1 NCAA schools. They tied the number seven ranked team in US college hockey, the University of Denver Pioneers, 2-2, lost 3-1 to Colorado College, and then wrapped up three games in three nights with an 4-2 victory over the Air Force Academy.
"The trip to Colorado was a very positive experience for our team," said Dragicevic. "We played very well, only giving up seven goals in the three games and proved we could compete with the best teams in US college hockey. I was very impressed by our ability to rally, especially after trailing 2-0 Denver and then earning a tie, as well as our ability to shutdown the Air Force in the third period in a tight one goal game. It didn't hurt that we also got stellar goaltending from our three guys."
The experience of playing on the big ice at Colorado College was also an asset. The Calgary Dinos play on the international size rink as well.
"The biggest reason for doing a trip like that was to prepare us for the rest of the season," said Dragicevic. " We had to be able to adjust to the quicker tempo and that will definitely benefit us moving forward."
Instead of playing exhibition games, like the Thunderbirds, the Dinos decided to take Thanksgiving weekend off. They last played on the opening weekend of the season when they defeated the Lethbridge Pronghorns in back to back games. The Dinos are led offensively by Tyler Fiddler, who had three goals vs. Lethbridge, and
Joe Antilla's (Madeira Park, BC) former teammate from his days with the Kootenay Ice, Kevin King, who had a pair of goals against the Pronghorns. Dustin Butler played both games in net allowing just three goals in the two games.
For UBC, scoring by the committe has been the theme of the season so far. In their last five games, the Thunderbirds have gotten goals from 11 different players. In terms of regular season scoring,
Max Grassi (North Vancouver, BC) leads the way with one goal and three assists, while
Brad Hoban (Victoria, BC) is the top goal scorer with two goals.
In net
Jordan White (Surrey, BC) got both the starts versus Regina on the opening weekend, but don't be surprised if
Steven Stanford (Calgary, AB) gets one of the starts this weekend. He will be returning to his hometown and is coming off a stellar performance at the University of Denver in which he stopped 45 of 47 shots he faced.
"There is no doubt we have some tough decisions moving forward," said Dragicevic. "Our depth this season has drastically improved, which in turn creates inner competition at practice to earn spots in the line up."
Game time this weekend is 6:00 pm (PST) both Friday and Saturday night in Calgary. After the two games versus the Dinos, the Thunderbirds will return home for the Bieksa's Buddies Charity game on Wednesday October 17, followed by their home opener Friday October 19 against the Lethbridge Pronghorns.
