The Matchup

With the winter break just around the corner, the UBC Thunderbirds (5-8-1) are back home looking to snap a six-game losing skid hosting the Manitoba Bisons (7-5-2) at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre Friday and Saturday, December 1 and 2.

The Canada West season is officially at the halfway mark and despite a less than ideal November, the 'Birds find themselves in the sixth and final playoff spot, two points ahead of seventh place Lethbridge and two back of fifth place Mount Royal.



UBC is 1-1 so far this season against the Bisons after splitting the season opening series in Winnipeg. The 'Birds and Bisons have played tight contests over the past two seasons with UBC going 5-4-1 against Manitoba since the start of the 2015-16 season.

Puck drop Friday is 7:00 p.m. PT with the final game of 2017 going Saturday at 2:00 p.m. PT.
 

Last Action

The 'Birds suffered a weekend sweep at the hands of the Golden Bears in Edmonton. UBC dropped a 4-0 decision Friday night followed by a 5-1 loss Saturday.

The Bisons split their final home weekend of 2017 with the Calgary Dinos earning a 3-2 win last Friday night before being shutout 4-0 Saturday.
 

By the Numbers

57 – With just 57 power play opportunities on the season, or an average of four per game, the 'Birds have had the fewest man advantages in the Canada West. Even so, UBC still boasts the conference's most effective power play at 22.8 percent.

4 – The total goal differential between the 'Birds and Bisons over their past 14 regular season meetings dating back to the beginning of the 2014-15 season. Manitoba has the slight edge during that span outscoring the 'Birds 45-41.
 

Players to Watch

Tyler Sandhu (#19, F) – Tied for second in team scoring, the rookie out of Richmond is also tied for fourth among all Canada West rookies with 11 points. The 5'10" forward has been a big presence on the power play scoring once and adding five helpers on the man advantage.



Jerret Smith (#29, D) – The second-year blueliner leads the 'Birds in assists with 10 and his 11 points is tied for fourth in league scoring by defencemen. Smith is already just one point shy of tying his season total from last year.
 

Coach's Take

The key to finishing 2017 on a high note is simply putting together a solid, 60-minute effort, according to UBC head coach Sven Butenschon.

"You can't get caught up in the big picture or results, just put together a solid hockey game where you can out battle the opponent, you win more 50-50 pucks, you block more shots than your opponent and just see what happens," said the second-year bench boss who liked the way his team finished last Saturday's game in Edmonton, but not necessarily the way they started. "If we can dial it in and prove to ourselves that we can turn the ship around it'll be a huge feather in our cap."

The biggest issue facing the T-Birds has been a lack of scoring, but it's certainly not for a lack of ability.

"We have to try to generate more offence, we're not shooting enough," said Butenschon. "Our focus this week is putting more pucks to the net, getting the second pucks. You can't be consistently outshot every night and expect to be on the right side of the scoresheet. If you defend properly your skill will take over at some point and you will score, so if we defend properly we're going to get our chances."