Vancouver, BC - Despite a solid first two periods, the Thunderbirds were unable to capitalize on power play opportunities, and the reigning CIS champion University of Alberta Golden Bears proved their stamina with a 3-2 win at Father Bauer Arena on Friday night.
BOX SCOREUBC had only one power play goal on eight attempts on the night, though not for a lack of scoring chances, quotes head coach
Tyler Kuntz.
"When you have a collection of chances in front of their net, you need to put it in the net."
UBC beat University of Alberta's goaltender twice in the game, with goals by
Cole Wilson and
Manraj Hayer. Jordan Hickmott scored twice for the Golden Bears, and Jordan Rowley netted the game winner.
Matt Hewitt gave forth a 35 save effort in net for the Thunderbirds, making the game as competitive as it was.
Although leading the shot count heading into the third period, The Thunderbirds were outshot 38-31 by the Golden Bears, including 17-4 in the final frame..
UBC had difficulty gaining access to the offensive zone within the opening minutes of the game, as clearing attempts through traffic turned into offensive pressure by the Golden Bears.
The first penalty of the game came 7:51 into the period, with Rowley of U of A sent off for interference. With the man advantage, UBC was able to get shots on Alberta goaltender Kurtis Mucha, but none would make it to the back of the net. Wilson had several chances for the Thunderbirds, but fired two shots just high of the goal, and was stopped by Mucha on another.
Wilson would eventually find the back of the net, scoring the first goal of the game with 1:43 left in the period, giving UBC the lead. After a series of excellent passing by UBC, Wilson took a drop pass and fired the shot past Mucha to start off the regular season scoring for the Thunderbirds.
Hewitt stopped all 10 shots he faced in the period for UBC
The Golden Bears' first goal of the game came 3:07 into the second period. Hickmott skated around and past the UBC defense, tying the game at 1-1 with the power play goal.
UBC would quickly answer. Just over a minute later, rookie
Manraj Hayer found himself alone with the puck on the left circle of the Alberta zone, and in stride, put the puck cleanly in the net to regain the lead at 2-1.
Hickmott scored his second goal of the game in shorthanded fashion 10:38 into the second period. The University of Alberta forward took a stretch pass from Dylan Bredo, and capitalized on the breakaway opportunity, chipping the puck past Hewitt to knot the game up at 2-2.
Later into the period, another power play for the Thunderbirds allowed sustained pressure in the offensive zone, but the Alberta defense held their own and the game remained tied heading into the final period.
Hewitt's most impressive of his 35 saves came five minutes into the third period. Moving quickly from left to right, the UBC goaltender gloved down a shot from Alberta's Stephane Legault at point blank range, keeping the score at 2-2.
Alberta would take the lead 7:15 into the period. Golden Bears defenseman Jordan Rowley took a pass from Rhett Rachinski and put a perfect shot past Hewitt, ricocheting off the crossbar before making its way into the net. Rowley's goal gave Alberta a 3-2 lead, one which they would not relinquish.
Despite the Thunderbirds' last minute attempts, Alberta's defense headed by the 2013 CIS Goaltender of the Year in Kurtis Mucha held off UBC to ensure a 3-2 victory.
Despite the loss, UBC captain
Ben Schmidt feels the performance enhances the team's confidence.
"It's definitely a boost, showing that we can play with them. We know that we can play with them, we just proved it to ourselves."
The Thunderbirds will get another chance to show their worth against the reigning CIS champions. The two teams will step on the ice at UBC's Father Bauer Arena again on Saturday evening, with puck drop at 7 p.m. PT.
