The Matchup
The number one ranked UBC Thunderbirds (11-1-2-0) are back in Alberta for a second straight weekend looking to keep their current 12-game win streak alive visiting the Dinos (0-10-1-3) Friday and Saturday, December 2
nd and 3
rd at the Father David Bauer Arena.
This weekend marks the final regular season meetings between the two as the Thunderbirds swept the Dinos at home in mid-October with 4-1 and 3-2 wins respectively. UBC has won seven straight regular season road games against the Dinos who sit in last place in the Canada West standings.
Puck drop Friday is 6:00 p.m. PT while Saturday's rematch is set for 2:00 p.m. PT.
Last Action
The T-Birds were in Calgary last weekend where they earned a sweep of the Mount Royal Cougars.
Tory Micklash made 18 saves and earned her first Canada
West shutout with a 3-0 win Friday night followed up by a 24 save performance Saturday in a 2-1 UBC victory.
The Dinos dropped both games of a weekend series in Regina losing 3-2 Friday night and 4-2 on Saturday. Calgary has now lost nine straight.
By the Numbers
90 – The Thunderbirds have drawn a Canada West leading 90 power play opportunities so far this season, an average of over six per game.
7 – UBC has the best road defence of any team in the Canada West allowing just seven goals against while away from home along with a conference best +12 goal differential.
Players to Watch
Kelly Murray (#5, D) – The veteran Murray leads all Canada West defencemen with 10 assists and also leads in plus/minus at a +11.
Mathea Fischer (#26, F) – The second-year forward scored two goals in last Friday's 3-0 win against Mount Royal earning the game's first star. Fischer has already equalled her previous season's goal total of five.
Coach's Take
UBC head coach
Graham Thomas says the entire team is mindful of the importance of staying focused and not letting Calgary's record be a factor in preparing for the weekend.
"We have to have good energy, be prepared, and not take any team lightly," said Thomas.
Special teams were a big factor in last week's wins over Mount Royal but Thomas would like to see continued improvement on both the power play and penalty kill.
"One of our focuses is going to be special teams. Last week it was good but it's always such a factor in games so we have to be mindful of that and make adjustments. We also want to work on our transition game out of the defensive zone and try to make some improvements there before we go into the break."
