The Matchup

The UBC Thunderbirds (14-2-2-0) are on the road for the first time in 2017 this Friday and Saturday, January 13^th and 14^th visiting the second-place Manitoba Bisons (9-4-3-2) at Wayne Fleming Arena.



After the Alberta Pandas ended UBC's 15-game win streak last Saturday, the T-Birds are motivated to get back on track and keep their perfect road record intact, entering the weekend 11 points ahead of the Bisons for first place in the Canada West.

Puck drop Friday is 5:00 p.m. PT while Saturday's rematch goes at 11:00 a.m. PT.
 

Last Action

The T-Birds split their home series with the Pandas last weekend earning a 3-1 win Friday night followed by a 2-1 loss Saturday. It was the first loss for the
Thunderbirds since October 8^th against Saskatchewan, and just their second all season.

The Bisons earned three points in Regina last weekend falling 2-1 in double overtime Friday night before scoring three times in the third Saturday for a 4-2 win.
 

By the Numbers

8 – UBC is a perfect 8-0 on the road so far this season, the only undefeated team away from home in the Canada West. The 'Birds also have a conference best 30 road goals. 

28 – While boasting the conference's most potent offence, the T-Birds also have the best defence allowing a Canada West leading 28 goals against, an average of just 1.56 per game.
 

Players to Watch

Nicole Saxvik (#6, F) – Coming off a three-point weekend, the fifth-year forward is riding a five-game point streak. With seven goals and 11 assists, her 18 points are good for second in team scoring as Saxvik is on pace for a career season.



Kelly Murray (#5, D) – With 14 points, the third-year defenceman is just two points shy of tying her career high. She has four points in her last three games and leads the Canada West in plus/minus at +16.
 
 

Coach's Take

After seeing the team's historic win streak come to an end, UBC head coach Graham Thomas is looking at the positive lesson it can provide.

"It's good for us to be reminded that nothing comes easy," said Thomas. "The most important thing for us going down the stretch is playing our best hockey and making sure everybody is on the same page and everyone is motivated."

The T-Birds expect to be without a number of key skaters in defenceman Mairead Bast and forwards Cassandra Vilgrain and Kathleen Cahoon, who are all out with injuries.

"It's all hands on deck, it's an opportunity for others to step up," said Thomas. "There's definitely some adversity we're going to face this weekend."