The Matchup

The UBC Thunderbirds (3-3-0) hope to keep last weekend's momentum rolling as they embark on the first of two straight weekend series away from home visiting the Lethbridge Pronghorns (1-4-1) Friday and Saturday, October 27 and 28.

The Nicholas Sheran Ice Centre hasn't been a very hospitable place for the T-Birds the last few years having lost their last four contests in Lethbridge, last picking up a win in the final game of the 2014-15 season.

Last year the 'Birds picked up a single point on their Lethbridge trip, courtesy of a wild 8-7 overtime loss. This weekend marks the first meeting with the Pronghorns since the T-Birds leapfrogged them on the final day of the regular season last year to take the Canada West's final playoff spot out of Lethbridge's grasp.

Puck drop Friday night is 6:00 p.m. PT with Saturday's rematch set for 12:00 p.m. PT.

Last Action

UBC earned their first weekend sweep of the season with 4-2 and 3-2 victories over the visiting Regina Cougars. The 'Birds scored three times in just over two minutes in the third period Friday while Michael Stenerson scored his second straight game winner Saturday.

The Pronghorns were swept by the Mount Royal Cougars in a home-and-home series last weekend falling 6-2 Friday night at home and 4-1 the following evening in Calgary. Lethbridge has now lost four straight.

By the Numbers

25 – UBC's power play is clicking at a 25 percent clip scoring seven times on 28 chances, the third best man advantage in the conference.

5 – The number of overtime games between the T-Birds and Pronghorns in their previous eight meetings. These two teams have been in some wild affairs the last two seasons with both of UBC's wins at home over Lethbridge last year coming in double overtime.

Players to Watch

Matt Hewitt (#30, G) – The veteran goaltender is coming off an outstanding weekend picking up both wins over Regina with a combined .946 save percentage. Hewitt sits tied for second in the conference with three wins.  

 

Austin Vetterl (#17, F) – With a goal and three assists last weekend, Vetterl is tied for third in Canada West scoring with nine points, second in goals with five, and first in power play goals with three. The third-year forward has at least a point in five of UBC's six games so far.

Coach's Take

Taking both games last weekend against Regina was certainly a boost for the 'Birds but UBC head coach Sven Butenschon says there's still plenty of work to be done in order to get playing the way they need to consistently.

"We still have a lot of things to work on so it's always nice to find the improvements, find where we need to get better and still walk away with points," said Butenschon who especially wants to see a drop in the number of shots his goaltenders have been facing. "We have to be better in our own zone, limit the other team's shooting opportunities and on the flip side of that, we don't shoot enough. We're looking to have more consistency getting pucks low, more heavy shifts and more pucks directed at the opposing net than ours."

The T-Birds haven't been able to find success in Lethbridge the previous two seasons including a pair of overtime losses, something that's top of mind for UBC heading into this weekend.

"We haven't won in that building since I've been here," said Butenschon. "We haven't really played great in that rink. We're having the mindset now that we're going out there to take care of business and go to war. They've had this date circled on their calendar for awhile because we took their playoff spot so I know that they'll be extremely motivated."