The Matchup
It's a mammoth tilt at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre this weekend as the top two teams in the country clash for a weekend doubleheader Friday and Saturday, November 24 and 25.
The No. 2 UBC Thunderbirds (8-4-0-0) are back on home ice hosting the No. 1 Alberta Pandas (8-2-0-2) in a rematch of last season's Canada West championship series where the T-Birds won their second straight conference banner.
Not only is it a grudge match but this weekend's results could also have big consequences when it comes to the standings. Both the 'Birds and Pandas are two points back of the conference leading Manitoba Bisons.
Puck drop Friday is 7:00 p.m. PT with Saturday's rematch at 2:00 p.m.
Last Action
UBC earned their second road weekend sweep of the season with back-to-back wins over the Mount Royal Cougars in Calgary.
The Pandas completed their own sweep with a pair of 3-1 wins over the Saskatchewan Huskies last Friday and Saturday in Edmonton.
By the Numbers
36 – The T-Birds' penalty kill continues to roll having been successful on 36 consecutive shorthanded situations. UBC hasn't allowed an opposition power play goal in their last seven games. The PK is now clicking at 89.8 percent.
.704 – The 'Birds have a .704 points percentage over the last nine meetings with the Pandas. Including regular season and playoffs, UBC has a 5-2-2-0 record against Alberta during that span outscoring the Pandas by a 19-9 margin.
Players to Watch
Hannah Clayton-Carroll (#22, F) – The third-year Vancouver native is coming off a three-goal weekend in which she scored back-to-back game winners for the Thunderbirds against the Cougars. Clayton-Carroll's seven goals is tied for the Canada West lead and her four game winners is tops in the conference.
Logan Boyd (#21, F) – With four goals and four assists, Boyd's eight points is tied with
Mathea Fischer for the team lead in scoring. The fourth-year Science student boasts a +8 rating, tops on the 'Birds and tied for second best in the Canada West.
Coach's Take
Last weekend's sweep in Calgary was a big confidence boost for the 'Birds, and UBC head coach
Graham Thomas is now looking to build on that momentum against a formidable opponent.
"At the end of the day I think we need to be excited for the challenge and see how we size up against the number one team in the country and the defending national champs," said Thomas.
While the results are important, especially given how tight the top half of the Canada West standings are, the bench boss maintains the process and continued growth is the greater focus.
"Our challenge right now is for everyone to continue to buy in and accept how we want to play," said Thomas. "Regardless of results this weekend, we need to bring that for 60 minutes for two games. If we do that we'll be happy and satisfied with what we're building and doing here regardless of result. We can't ignore the standings and the race that's going on there. There is a lot on the line, we have to be aware of it but at the same time how we play is more important."
