VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds men's hockey team's playoff hopes (8-13-2) took a hit on Friday night, as they fell 5-2 on the road to the Lethbridge Pronghorns (9-11-3).

With the win, the Pronghorns leapfrogged the 'Birds for the sixth and final playoff spot in the Canada West, and with just five games left in the regular season, every point becomes crucial.

"They came out and they wanted it more tonight," said UBC head coach Sven Butenschon. "We played desperate hockey, and our best hockey, in the third period tonight, but you have to play every minute like that. Every minute has to be played with that kind of fire, and they had it tonight, credit to them."

Eight minutes into the first, the Longhorns opened the scoring as Mitch Maxwell and Ryan Moser used a nifty give-and-go to get the former open off the half-wall. Maxwell made no mistake, beating UBC goalie Derek Dun high to the glove side.

The game would get away from the T-Birds in the second period, with Lethbridge scoring three unanswered goals to open up a 4-0 lead midway through the frame. Justin Valentino picked up a goal and two assists in the period, including a beautiful pass to Clint Filbrandt on the Pronghorns' fourth marker.

Nick Buonassissi would get one back for the 'Birds late in the second on a power play, as defender Josh Connolly took a smart shot from the point which handcuffed Lethbridge goalie Garrett Hughson. Buonassissi was johnny-on-the spot to pick up the loose puck and knock it home.

Anthony Bardaro cut the lead to two with just under six minutes remaining in the third period. The senior centreman deftly picked the puck out of a goal-mouth scramble and buried his 12th, giving the 'Birds some life late.

However, a late empty netter would preserve the win for the Pronghorns, snapping the team's six-game losing streak.

The 'Birds and Pronghorns will clash in another crucial matchup tomorrow afternoon. With more playoff implications at stake, the puck is set to drop at Nicholas Sheran Arena at 12 noon PT.