Lethbridge, AB – The UBC Thunderbirds (4-3-0) got another dominant performance in goal by Matt Hewitt who got plenty of goal support in a 5-0 win over the Lethbridge Pronghorns (1-5-1) for the T-Birds' first win at the Nicholas Sheran Ice Centre since 2015.
 
The 'Birds started strong with Michael Stenerson scoring his fourth of the season just 31 seconds in, and they kept rolling adding one more in the opening period and three in the third for a third straight win.
 
"We definitely talked about getting a good start and putting a complete 60 minutes together and getting that goal early probably helped our belief," said UBC head coach Sven Butenschon.
 
Tyler Sandhu scored on the power play at the 8:41 mark of the first from Stenerson and Jerret Smith to double the 'Birds' lead and added his third of the season late in the third for his first Canada West multi-goal game.
 
Fellow first-year forward Matt Revel also wanted in on the action scoring two goals seven minutes apart in the final period for his second and third of his young U SPORTS career with Smith picking up the lone assist on both.
 
"The young guys are looking good and have been looking good since day one," said Butenschon. "They've really bought into the system. I've been trying to put them into situations to succeed and they're stepping up and getting it done and not just on the scoresheet. They've been playing well in the defensive zone, they're going to the right spots and their puck management is great."
 
Revel and Smith each finished the night with three points. Stenerson finished with a goal and an assist scoring the game winner for the third straight game. Manraj Hayer and Carter Popoff each chipped in with a helper.


 
The 'Birds were outshot 39-26 as Hewitt earned his first shutout of the season and his fourth win. The fifth-year goaltender has allowed just four goals in his last three games combined for a .963 save percentage during his current streak.
 
"He definitely looks like he's in the zone, he looks real comfortable back there," said Butenschon of his veteran goaltender who is off to his best start in his five-year Canada West career. "I know the shot totals are high but I think our guys are doing a really good job at keeping those shots from the outside and not giving up the second and third opportunities off of rebounds."
 
The T-Birds went 1-for-3 on the power play Friday night while killing off the only two Pronghorn man advantages.
 
UBC goes for a fourth straight win in Saturday afternoon's rematch with a 12:00 p.m. PT puck drop in Lethbridge.