Matchup

 
The Pacific Division champion UBC Thunderbirds (10-4-1) host the Mount Royal Cougars (4-4-6) in a Canada West quarter-final showdown on Friday at 6:30 pm PST at Thunderbird Stadium. With a fresh roster primed and ready for the postseason, UBC has its sights set on a strong playoff run after falling to Alberta in the title game on penalty kicks a season ago. Mount Royal is looking to better their 3-0 quarter-final shutout loss to Trinity Western in 2016.


 
The last time these two teams met was back in September of 2016 when the 'Birds earned a 2-0 clean sheet over the Cougars in Alberta. Third-year midfielder Kerman Pannu scored both goals for the 'Birds and Zach Verhoven picked up an assist in the victory.
 
Thunderbird Stadium has been a tough place to play for visiting squads, as the T-Birds have six wins and just a single loss at home this season.
 

Last Action

 
UBC split their regular season finale weekend with a 2-1 loss to Trinity Western and a 3-1 win over UFV on the road after clinching tops in the division the week before. Rylan Sangha, Brian Im and Sam Fletcher each tallied their first goals of the season for the T-Birds, while Chad Bush had a rare night off against the Cascades.
 
Mount Royal had three straight draws against Saskatchewan, MacEwan and Alberta to finish fourth in the Prairie Division.
 

By the Numbers

 
9 – keeper Chad Bush has backstopped the 'Birds to a Canada West-leading 9 wins this season with a 0.77 goals against average and 6 shutouts in 14 games. As a team, UBC has a stingy 0.5 goals against average at home this season.
 
22 – the Thunderbirds are second in the Canada West with 22 assists on the year and are first in the league with 114 shots.
 

Players to Watch

 
Victory Shumbusho – (#16, F) – in his first season with the 'Birds, the Whitecaps Residency product scored an impressive 7 goals in 10 appearances for UBC.


 
Mihai Hodut – (#17, M) – the rookie Burnaby native racked up 3 goals and 4 assists (second behind Patrick Izett's 5 assists) in 15 games.
 

Coach's take

 
UBC Head Coach Mike Mosher knows his team has fought hard all season to put themselves in the best position to win in week one of the postseason.
 
"We are happy to have won the division again this year, that is always a goal and we hope it sets us up best to look to advance in the playoffs.  We are comfortable here at Thunderbird Stadium and we feel it gives us the best chance to advance, but we are also well aware there are no easy games in Canada West and we will be prepared to get after it come Friday night."