Edmonton, AB - The top ranked Alberta Golden Bears scored six unanswered goal to defeat the UBC Thunderbirds men's hockey team 6-2 Saturday night in Edmonton. With the win, Alberta improves to a perfect 8-0-0 on the year, put them in a tie for first in the Canada West standings with the Calgary Dinos. UBC now is 1-5-0 on the season.
UBC had a strong opening period, outshooting the Golden Bears 10-9 and led 1-0 on the strength of Neil Manning's first goal of the season.
The Thunderbirds added to their lead early in the second period as Brad Hoban beat Luke Siemens for his second goal of the season to put the visitors in front 2-0 just 3:50 into the frame. However, the Bears would eventually answer back. Thomas Carr beat Matt Hewitt to cut the lead to 2-1. Then after UBC took back to back penalties just eight seconds apart, Alberta capitalized scoring a pair of power play goals to take their first lead of the night 3-2. Johnny Lazo and Brett Ferguson got the goals just 35 seconds apart. 3-2 is how things stood through 40 minutes of play.
The 'Birds had their chances in the third period firing nine shots on net, but the back breaker was a shorthanded goal off the stick of Jordan Hickmott just past the midway point of the period to put the Golden Bears in front by two. Alberta would add two goals in the final four minutes from Travis Toomey and Jamie Crooks to make it a 6-2 final.
After scoring three goals on the man advantage Friday night, the Thunderbirds were 0-for-5 Saturday while Alberta went 2-for-6.
Matt Hewitt made his third straight start for UBC and stopped 29 of the 35 shots he faced.
Luke Siemens earned the win in net for Alberta making 24 saves.
Carr, Ferguson, Hickmott, Zack Dailey and Jordan Rowley all finished with two points on the night for Alberta.
UBC will return home for a weekend series beginning Friday November 1 against the Lethbridge Pronghorns.
