The Matchup
After four straight games on the road, the UBC Thunderbirds (4-2-0-0) are glad to be back in the confines of the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre to host the Lethbridge Pronghorns (1-3-2-0) this Friday and Saturday, October 27 and 28.
The No. 2 ranked 'Birds are coming off an impressive 3-1 road swing and sit just one point back of the Canada West leading Alberta Pandas. The Pronghorns have three wins to their credit but just one in regulation and currently occupy sixth place, two points ahead of Mount Royal and two behind Manitoba.
Last season UBC went a perfect 4-0 against the Pronghorns, shutting them out in both games held in Vancouver.
Puck drop Friday is set for 7:00 p.m. PT with Saturday's rematch scheduled for 2:00 p.m. PT, both at Doug Mitchell.
Last Action
UBC split their weekend series in Regina earning a 4-3 win over the Cougars Friday night before having their four-game win streak snapped the following night with a 1-0 shutout loss.
The road team won both games in a home-and-home series between the Pronghorns and Mount Royal Cougars. Lethbridge took Friday's game 4-1 before being shutout 3-0 at home the following night.
By the Numbers
32 – The total number of power play chances for the Thunderbirds through the first six games of the season, tied with Manitoba for the most in the Canada West. The 'Birds have scored five times on the power play, second in the conference only to the Bisons.
.932 –
Tory Micklash and
Amelia Boughn's combined save percentage, third best in the conference. The T-Birds have allowed just five even strength goals against.
Players to Watch
Hannah Clayton-Carroll (#22, F) – The third-year forward scored back-to-back game winning goals for the 'Birds and leads the Canada West in that category. Clayton-Carroll scored in the final minute last Friday to give UBC the 4-3 win over Regina.
Mathea Fischer (#26, F) – Fischer leads the Thunderbirds with six points, all assists, and leads the entire conference in helpers. The third-year forward from Norway has the third-best plus/minus in the Canada West with a +5 rating.
Coach's Take
Finishing 3-1 on the road the last two weeks was certainly a good outcome for the 'Birds, but UBC head coach
Graham Thomas says the last game in Regina was a disappointment effort-wise.
"We weren't super excited with how we played as a group on Saturday so it's about getting better and being mentally sharp regardless of the outcome," said Thomas.
UBC's bench boss also says it was nice to get on the road for a lengthy stretch early in the season, but everyone's glad to be back home for awhile too.
"We took playing at home a little for granted since we had played so much at home in the pre-season," said Thomas about starting the year 1-1 on home ice. "We were looking forward to getting out on the road but playing back-to-back road weekends gives you some challenges. They're all good learning experiences but we're excited to be back home at the Doug and be home for three weeks."
