EDMONTON – In just the first Canada West men's hockey shootout of the season, the visiting UBC Thunderbirds knocked off the Alberta Golden Bears 3-2 Saturday night at Clare Drake Arena.

UBC was propelled to victory off goals from Luke Lockhart (Burnaby, B.C.) and Jessi Hilton (Sherwood Park, Alta.), while Scott MacDonald (Surrey, B.C.) was the lone goal scorer in the three-on-three shootout. Matt Hewitt (New Westminster, B.C.) was tremendous in goal for UBC, stopping 52 of 54 shots, and all three in the shootout, earning first star honours in the win. Jordan Hickmott and Dylan Bredo were the goal scorers in defeat for the Golden Bears.

Coming off the 6-3 win the previous night, Alberta opened Saturday's contest with some pop, outshooting the visitors 16-7 through the opening 20 minutes. Despite being heavily outplayed, it was actually the 'Birds getting on the scoresheet first. After a turnover at their own blue-line, Lockhart grabbed the loose puck, and snapped a quick wrister under the glove of Luke Siemens.

Carrying the one-goal lead into the second, UBC played a much stronger period. The Bears pressured early and often for the equalizer, but on countless scoring chances, Hewitt vacuumed up all the Alberta shots, negating any second opportunities. Levko Koper had arguably the best chance of either team in the second, but Hewitt snapped his glove out to stop the tipped shot.

Opening the third period on a man advantage, UBC added to their lead just 1:17 into the frame. Nick Buonassisi's (Coquitlam, B.C.) shot was defected in front and slide behind an Alberta goalie sliding to the other post. Hilton was able to tap in the loose puck in the slot for his second of the season.

Alberta was quick to respond, however, as it only took 50 seconds for Bredo to cut the UBC lead back to one. After a scramble in the UBC net, Bredo was able to slip a shot through Hewitt, making it a 2-1 game.

It took another 15 minutes for the Golden Bears to finally even the game at two, despite firing another 14 third period shots. Hickmott was left alone on the doorstep with just three minutes left, and made no mistake, tapping home his tenth of the season, and sending the game into OT.

Despite an incredibly high-paced pair of OT periods, neither team was able score the game winner, with both teams combining for just seven shots.

After Hickmott was stopped with the first shot in the shootout, MacDonald feathered a shot just under the bar on the first UBC attempt. Hewitt would then stop both Jamie Crooks and Kruise Reddick the next two rounds, giving UBC the win.

UBC, now 9-8-3, will now head home for a big matchup against the conference-leading Saskatchewan Huskies. Friday's game will be the annual UBC Winter Classic while the team will honour its graduating seniors on Saturday.

Alberta (13-5-2), meanwhile, will stay at home, as they host the 5-15 Regina Cougars Friday and Saturday night at Clare Drake Arena.