The Matchup
The UBC Thunderbirds (8-12-2) go head-to-head against the team they're trying to catch in the Canada West playoff race taking on the Lethbridge Pronghorns (8-11-3) Friday and Saturday, January 27th and 28th.
With three wins in their last five games and points in four of their last six, the T-Birds are just one point behind Lethbridge for the final conference playoff spot with six games left in the regular season and have some serious momentum on their side after last Saturday's 4-2 win over Saskatchewan.
Puck drop Friday at Lethbridge's Nicholas Sheran Arena is 6:00 p.m. PT with Saturday's rematch set for 12:00 p.m. PT.
Last Action
UBC earned a much-needed split against the conference leading Huskies in Vancouver last weekend. After falling 2-1 Friday night, the T-Birds scored three times in the third period Saturday for a 4-2 win.
The Pronghorns were swept at home by the visiting Manitoba Bisons last weekend suffering a 4-0 shutout Friday night followed by a 9-3 loss Saturday. Lethbridge has now lost six straight.
The T-Birds and Pronghorns last met in early November in Vancouver when UBC earned a pair of double overtime victories.
By the Numbers
33 – The Thunderbirds power play is clicking at a whopping 33 percent over the last four games scoring five times on fifteen opportunities. UBC will need to keep that momentum going with only 2 power play goals on the road so far this season.
277 – The T-Birds have amassed 277 penalty minutes through 22 games, the second lowest total in the Canada West while Lethbridge is the most penalized team with 386 PIM's. Discipline and special teams could be a huge factor once again for the 'Birds this weekend.
Players to Watch
Nick Buonassisi (#12, F) – The veteran forward scored his first of the season last Saturday in highlight reel fashion completing his first Canada West three-point game. His 10 helpers on the season are tied for a career best and good for second on the team.
Joe Antilla (#20, F) – Antilla had his second multi-point game of the season last Saturday with two assists and now has five points in his last four games.
Coach's Take
UBC head coach
Sven Butenschon only needs to look back to the way his team played against Saskatchewan last weekend to know exactly how his team needs to approach the rest of the season and their playoff push.
"Ever since Christmas we've really turned a corner," said Butenschon."We went into Alberta and got three points, we had a big comeback win against Manitoba and then beat Saskatchewan last week. It's all part of the process and the journey and hopefully it continues to trend that way."
With the Pronghorns and T-Birds battling for that final Canada West playoff spot, Butenschon expects a playoff type atmosphere this weekend.
"They're going to be desperate," Butenschon said. "They played us hard when we hosted them taking us to overtime both nights and we're going to expect a dog fight. We get to go into a building where a team is one point ahead of us and if we can play the way we can and play desperate playoff hockey which is what we expect it to be like, we give ourselves a good chance."
