Vancouver, BC - The UBC Thunderbirds men's hockey team head into the final weekend of the regular season with a playoff spot wrapped up, but where and who they will play in the opening round of the Canada West playoffs remains up in the air.
The task is not easy this weekend for the 'Birds. UBC (14-9-3) plays host to the #2 ranked team in the nation and the top team in the Canada West, the Alberta Golden Bears (21-4-1). The Bears have already locked up the number one seed in the conference, a first round bye, and home ice advantage throughout the Canada West playoffs.
Things get a lot more complicated for positions two through six. Manitoba (16-6-4) heads into the final two games with 36 points and sitting in second place. The Bisons are just one point up on Saskatchewan (17-8-1), four points up on fourth place Calgary (16-10-0), and five points ahead of UBC. The Thunderbirds, just one point back of the Dinos, would like to get into the fourth spot in order to earn home ice in the first round of the playoffs.
This weekend's match ups with see Calgary and Mount Royal square off in a city battle, Manitoba is in Regina (12-11-3), who are just four points behind UBC in sixth, and Saskatchewan pays a visit to Lethbridge.
As for the Golden Bears, they have run roughshod over the Canada West, leading the league in goals for, fewest goals against, and boasting the top power play. They feature seven players with 20 points or more, every player on their roster is a plus player, and they also have the luxury of two number one goalies in Kurtis Mucha and Real Cyr.
Earlier this season the Thunderbirds lost back to back games to the Golden Bears in Edmonton, 2-0 and 6-2.
This weekend marks the final home regular season games for five graduating UBC players; captain
Justin McCrae (Cochrane, AB),
Jordan White (Surrey, BC),
Scott Wasden (West Kelowna, BC),
Wyatt Hamilton (Cochrane, AB), and
Dustin Kimber (Lundar, MB).
Kimber played three seasons for UBC and is a 2-time Academic All-Canadian. Known for his work ethic and team first attitude, the smooth skating forward hopes to pursue a masters degree in physiotherapy after graduating with a degree in Kinesiology.
In four years with UBC, Hamilton has played 100 career games collecting 17 goals and 45 points. He will graduate from the Sauder School of Business and has been an Academic All-Canadian. A gritty, two way forward, Hamilton hopes to pursue a pro career in Europe when he graduates.
During his four years with the Thunderbirds,
Scott Wasden has never missed a single game playing in 110 career games, amassing 28 goals and 52 points. An assistant captain for the past three seasons, Wasden will graduate from the Sauder School of Business this spring. His leadership and commitment will be missed.
Jordan White has been a workhorse in goal during his four years with the Thunderbirds playing in 88 games, winning 36 games, posting five shutouts, and boasting a career goals against average of 2.82. A 2
nd Team Canada West All-Star last season, White will graduate from the school of Kinesiology and hopes to pursue a professional career in the fall.
Justin McCrae has epitomized the term student athlete during his four years at UBC. The team captain for the past two years, McCrae has played 81 games, picking up 28 goals and 49 points, despite being limited due to injuries over the last two seasons. Off the ice he is a 3-time Academic All-Canadian in Kinesiology and already has been accepted to law school. He has been a true leader and inspiration both on and off the ice.
Come celebrate the careers of five outstanding Thunderbirds this Friday and Saturday night at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre. Puck drop is 7:00 pm both nights. To buy tickets online,
click here.
