VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds men's hockey team (8-5-3) will look to get off to a fast start in 2016, as they head to Alberta to take on the Mount Royal Cougars (9-5-2) this weekend. The 'Birds and Cougars will take to the ice at 6 p.m. (PT) on Friday, January 8, and at 5 p.m. (PT) on Saturday, January 9.
 
The 'Birds ended 2015 with a solid win over the Calgary Dinos, topping them 4-2 on the road. Austin Vetterl (Surrey, B.C.) continued his strong rookie campaign for the 'Birds, as the winger notched a pair of assists in the win, bringing his scoring total to six goals and 10 helpers in 16 games.
 
Vetterl's 1.00 point-per-game average is good for second on the team, behind only third-year centre Anthony Bardaro. The Delta, B.C. native sits in a tied for eighth in Canada West in scoring, having racked up eight goals and nine assists in just 14 appearances.
 
Even with the win against the Dinos, the 'Birds had a less-than-memorable month of November, going just 2-5-1 amidst a storm of injuries, fatigue, and a difficult stretch of opponents.
 
Head coach Adam Shell admitted that the break couldn't have come at a better time for his club.
 
"I think energy is what's going to make the difference," said Shell. "November was a tough month, obviously, between school, travel, and playing really good teams. Now, we get to turn the page and start fresh – everyone is back at the starting gates, in a way, and now it's a sprint to the playoffs. The break kind of serves to get everyone re-charged, and now it's up to us to take advantage of it."  
 
Mount Royal, is led by a dominant trio of scorers.
 
Fifth-year star Tyler Fiddler is pacing the club, as his 24 points (eight goals, 16 assists) has the former Calgary Hitmen second in conference scoring. Freshman winger Cam Maclise has adjusted seamlessly to Canada West, as the ex-Edmonton Oil King sits eighth in the league with impressive totals of eight goals and 10 assists. Rounding out the trio is Matthew Brown, whose 11 goals have him first in Canada West, while his 17 points have him tied with Bardaro in conference scoring.
 
Cognizant of the Cougars' explosive attack, Shell believes that his squad's strengths match up well with those of Mount Royal.
 
Their offensive punch is outstanding, especially at the top of the lineup," said Shell. "Up front, we  have to be really smart, and solid defensively. Luckily, that defensive ability, along with goaltending, is the strength of our team."
 
The Cougars will be looking get a little redemption against the 'Birds, as UBC topped Mount Royal 4-3 in overtime, and 2-1 in regulation, in both clubs' season-opening weekend in early October.