The Matchup

The UBC Thunderbirds men's hockey team (5-10-1) returns from a month-long winter break this Friday and Saturday, January 6th and 7th against one of the top teams in the Canada West visiting the Alberta Golden Bears.

Boasting a 5-1 record at home so far this season, Alberta starts the new year just three points behind first place Saskatchewan and one back of second place Mount Royal. The Thunderbirds, meanwhile, are two points behind Manitoba for the sixth and final conference playoff berth.



While the Golden Bears have enjoyed a strong first half of the season, UBC can look back to the last time the two met when the T-Birds earned a split on home ice which included a 5-2 win back on October 22^nd.  

Puck drop Friday night is at 6:00 p.m. PT with Saturday's rematch set for 5:00 p.m. PT, both at Edmonton's Clare Drake Arena.
 

Last Action

The Thunderbirds split a home series with the Calgary Dinos in early December posting a 2-1 victory on the Friday night followed by a 4-1 loss on Saturday. Derek Dun was in net for both games putting up a .927 save percentage on the weekend.

The Golden Bears are coming off a pair of road losses in Saskatchewan. Alberta dropped a 4-1 decision to the first-place Huskies on December 2^nd before being shut out 4-0 the next night.
 

By the Numbers

1 – The Thunderbirds have earned just one win on the road so far this season but their last trip to Edmonton last season ended with a shootout victory.

20 – When the Golden Bears visited UBC back in October the two put up a combined 20 goals through two games, a scenario not likely to be repeated this weekend.
 

Players to Watch

Jerret Smith (#29, F) – The first-year defenceman leads the T-Birds in assists with eight and sits third in overall team scoring while also leading UBC in plus/minus at +5.



Derek Dun (#34, G) – Dun has the Canada West's fourth best save percentage at .917 and has three wins in his last five starts.
 

Coach's Take

UBC head coach Sven Butenschon has been working the team hard in practice since the last week of December in order to be ready to roll after the month-long break.

"We started a little bit earlier than normal," said Butenschon. "We've been working hard to get that rust off. We're trying to be in great shape and be one of the top conditioned teams in the league."

With 12 games left in the regular season and two points out of a playoff spot, consistency remains a big focus for the T-Birds going forward.

"It's about making the simple, right plays for 60 minutes and not getting impatient," said Butenschon. "We're trying to find that consistent team game that I'm sure every team tries to do, but for us if we buy into patient, smart hockey our talent will take over in the end."

Butenschon also feels facing a top opponent in their own building is a good way to start off the second half of the season.

"Going into Alberta is always tough, they have dynamic offensive players and if you give any of those guys too much time and space they're going to make you pay. It's going to be a good test."