VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds men's hockey team (2-0-0) will look to continue their undefeated start to the 2015-16 Canada West campaign, as they host the Calgary Dinos (0-1-1) in back-to-back contests at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre this weekend. The games are set for Friday, October 16, and Saturday, October 17, with the opening whistle for both contests scheduled for 7 p.m. (PT).
 
Calgary hasn't fared well in the results column early on in the season dropping a set of back-to-back games against the Saskatchewan Huskies. The first was a 6-5 overtime decision, and it was followed by a 1-0 blanking.
 
Despite not getting the results early on, Calgary still boasts plenty of high-end talent. Elgin Pearce is at the forefront of that, as the third-year forward was top five in Canada West scoring last season with 17 goals and 14 assists in just 28 games. Chris Collins, a member of the CIS All-Rookie in 2013-14, was also top 20 in CIS Scoring last season, posting 12 goals and eight assists in 28 games. The Dinos also added two highly prized recruits over the offseason in Coda Gordon and Mike Winther, two forwards who were selected in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
 
UBC head coach Adam Shell isn't discounting Calgary because of their slow start in the win column. In fact, Shell admits that their start makes them even more dangerous, especially with their loaded lineup.
 
"We will be aware of the Dinos' star players who can hurt us if we don't pay attention," said Shell. "They're going to be desperate. They're going to try and win the game in the first period. But I have full confidence in all my players."
 
Those players have rewarded Shell's confidence early on, as the T-Birds opened their season last weekend with a back-to-back set against the Mount Royal Cougars. In the first game, winger Manraj Hayer (Vancouver) bagged two goals, including the overtime winner, as UBC won by a 4-3 final. In addition, first-year defender Josh Connolly (Prince George, B.C.) netted his first goal in blue and gold, while Anthony Bardaro (Delta, B.C.), the team's leading scorer from last season, notched a pair of assists.
 
The second game was a tale of goaltending, as third-year netminder Matt Hewitt (New Westminster, B.C.) made his debut after Eric Williams (Langley, B.C.) got the start in the opener. Hewitt dominated, stopping 29 of 30 shots. Luke Lockhart (Burnaby, B.C.), who also scored in the first game, bagged his second of the season to open the scoring. After Mount Royal tied the contest halfway through the third, fourth-year winger Joe Antilla (Madiera Park, B.C.) knocked home a rebound off of a Bardaro shot and sealed the perfect opening weekend for Shell and the 'Birds.
 
Shell liked the fire that his team played with on the opening weekend, but the coach is looking for a bit more execution on the offensive end against Calgary.
 
"We need to generate more offence, more shots, and more puck possession, but with that same level of guts and guile as last weekend," Shell said.
 
The T-Birds will get a full week of rest after Saturday's game, as they head out on the road to square off against the Manitoba Bisons on Saturday, October 24.