VANCOUVER – With just 10 games remaining in the Canada West regular season schedule, the UBC Thunderbirds look to get back to their winning ways as they hit the road for a weekend series against the University of Lethbridge.

Mired in a stretch in which they have just one win in their last six regular season games, the Pronghorns could very well be the 'cure for what ails' the Thunderbirds. UBC (9-7-2) is tied for fifth in the conference with 20 points, while Lethbridge (1-15-2) is dead last, managing only one win so far this season. The Pronghorns have given up a league worst 97 goals against, while scoring just 37 goals themselves in 18 games.

"We aren't looking at Lethbridge's record at all. This weekend is all about the UBC hockey team," said head coach Milan Dragicevic. "The Pronghorns have always played us tough, especially in their own barn and we expect that won't change this weekend. Our responsibility is to ensure our guys are both mentally and physically prepared to play in order to get out of our current funk."

The funk has seen the 'Birds go 1-4-1 in their last six games. Prior to that they were 8-3-1 on season. The reason is simple, UBC has struggled to find the back of the net. In their first 12 games of the year the Thunderbirds averaged nearly four goals a game, but in their last six games they have scored just eight goals total. Look no further then the team's veteran group of forwards for the answer. Max Grassi (North Vancouver), Scott Wasden (West Kelowna, B.C.), and Nate Fleming (St. Albert, Alta.) have all gone six games without a goal, while Wyatt Hamilton (Cochrane, Alta.) is in the midst of a seven game scoring drought. It doesn't help either that the defence this season has chipped in with just three goals combined.

"Our team needs to get back to the identity of cycling the puck and jamming the puck down low," said Dragicevic. "We need to play simple hockey, stop being pretty in the neutral zone, start triple driving the net, and shooting for rebounds."

The power play has been a concern as well for Dragicevic, managing just three goals in 26 attempts through their last six games, 11.5 per cent efficiency rating. Compare that to the 23.9 per cent rating through their first 12 games of the year.

"It starts with entering the zone in a timely matter and right now we are struggling to do that," said Dragicevic. "Once we get settled we are okay, but our guys have to understand that we have to adjust to what the opposition's penalty kill is giving us. If the current guys can't do that, they we will change personnel and put guys in different spots."

Despite the tough love from Dragicevic, the Thunderbirds are right in the playoff mix with 10 games remaining. They are three points behind third place Manitoba and just two points behind fourth place Calgary. Alberta and Saskatchewan are tied for first with 28 points, eight more then the 'Birds. The top six teams make the playoffs. Mount Royal is well back in seventh with just eight points, while Lethbridge is last with four points.

"We are the only team that can help us out," said Dragicevic. "We can't rely on anybody else to do the work for us. If we focus on ourselves and play like we can, the way our guys have proven in the past, we are going to be successful."

Puck drop is scheduled for 6 p.m. PST both Friday and Saturday night in Lethbridge. Both games will also be available on webcast at www.canadawest.tv.