Winnipeg, MB - The UBC Thunderbirds men's hockey team kept their hopes of hosting a first round playoff match alive with a 3-2 victory over the #8 Manitoba Bisons Friday night at Max Bell Arena. Jordan White (Surrey, BC) got the start in net and was outstanding stopping 30 of 32 shots he faced including 11 in the final period to earn the win. With the victory UBC improves to 3-0-0 this season against the Bisons.
BOX SCORE
Down 2-1 early in the second period, Mike McGurk (Hamilton, ON) picked the perfect time to score his first goal of the season tying the game at 2-2 and then just before the midway point of the period, Scott Wasden (West Kelowna, BC) scored what proved to be the game winning goal as the Thunderbirds won their 14th game of the year, improving to a league best 8-3-2 on the road.
With the win the 'Birds (14-8-3) remain in fifth place in the Canada West conference with 31 points, but just three points behind second place Manitoba (15-6-4), two points behind third place Saskatchewan (16-8-1), and one point behind fourth place Calgary (16-9-0). The top two teams in the conference after the regular receive a bye into the second round, while the third and fourth place teams play host to a best of three series in the first round of the playoffs.
"Tonight we played a solid systems game, got great goaltending, and had a number of key blocked shots," said UBC head coach Milan Dragicevic. "However, we are not happy with just two points this weekend. We are in a dog fight for the top four and we need another big effort tomorrow night."
The Bisons opened the scoring just before the ten minute make of the first period as Luke Cain beat White to put the home side up 1-0. 'Birds captain Justin McCrae would get UBC on the board before the period was out, scoring his first goal since October 2, tieing the game at 1-1 through 20 minutes of play.
Early in the second period Manitoba would retake the lead courtesy of former Vancouver Giants captain James Henry. However, the lead would not last, as just 1:14 later McGurk potted his first goal of the year to even the score at 2-2. The Thunderbirds took their first lead of the night 9:58 into the frame courtesy of Wasden, scoring his 11th goal of the season. It would prove to be the game winner.
Neither team was able to find the back of the net in the third period as the Bisons outshot the Thunderbirds 11-6 in the final period, but White stopped all 11 shots he faced and 30 on the night to secure the 3-2 victory.
UBC finished the night 0-for-2 on the power play, while Manitoba was 0-for-4.
The 'Birds successfully kept the top line in the Canada West off the scoreboard. Blair Macaulay, Ian Duval, and Tyler Dittmer have managed just one point in three games versus UBC this season..
These two teams will be back in action tomorrow night at Max Bell Arena in Winnipeg. Puck drop is 5:00 pm PST.
