VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds, currently tied for first place in the Canada West men's hockey standings, will pile on the bus and drive to Lethbridge to take on the seventh-place Pronghorns in a doubleheader this weekend.

The 'Birds come into this set of four away games after sweeping of the Regina Cougars last weekend. The wins boosted UBC's record to 6-0-2.

The last time UBC played on foreign ice was in Winnipeg where they split the weekend with the Manitoba Bisons (4-3-1), winning Saturday evening but falling in double overtime Sunday afternoon.

"Playing in someone else's rink makes us less comfortable and they'll be more comfortable," said head coach Adam Shell. "Even if we're playing on the moon, it doesn't matter."

Shell is preparing his team to think not only about their game, but to consider how the other team is thinking and preparing for the weekend as well. He said Lethbridge's 2-5-1 record is irrelevant to his team and his coaching strategy.

"I don't care where they sit. Every team in this league is good."

The Pronghorns have had a rough start to the season, but things may be turning around for them after defeating the Mt. Royal Cougars at home last Saturday 5-3. It was the 'Horns' first win in six games.

Lethbridge goalie, Dylan Tait, denied 47 of 50 shots and each Pronghorns' goal was scored by a different player, including their current points leader Mitch Maxwell, showing that the whole of the Lethbridge team can a threat.

Despite the Thunderbirds' impressive record, Shell is impressed more by the consistency of his team.

It's very business as usual," he said. "We aren't a very high-emotion team. The only difference is we travel."

When Shell was asked about maintaining the momentum from last Saturday's 6-1 victory he said, "The momentum is maintained by just doing the same thing. We have to be the same every night. We have to respect our opponents. There is no over-confidence in this room."

UBC will face the 'Horns with a deep bench to draw from. Anthony Bardaro (Delta, B.C.) is the leading scorer in the Canada West and was named the Western Hockey League Grad of the Month earlier this week. He's the fifth T-Bird since 1989 to earn this honour. The forward scored five goals and recorded seven assists in eight games during the month of October.

Luke Lockhart (Burnaby, B.C.) has eight points in eight games, while rookie Austin Vetterl (Surrey, B.C.) has seven points - both having scored three goals.

Shell commented that the team is reasonably healthy. Manraj Hayer (Vancouver) is questionable for the games this weekend while Dillon Wagner (Duffield, Alta.) remains out.

[We're] pretty much at full blast," said Shell. "We can keep guys fresh."

Thunderbirds goalies Matt Hewitt (New Westminster, B.C.) and Eric Williams (Langley, B.C.) are both 3-0-1 on the season and both are in the top four of the Canada West in wins, save percentage and goals-against average.

UBC will play at Lethbridge on Saturday Nov. 7 at 6 p.m. PT and Sunday Nov. 8 at 12 p.m. PT