The Matchup
A week after hosting the top-ranked team in the country, the No. 2 UBC Thunderbirds (8-4-1-1) close out the 2017 portion of the Canada West season in Winnipeg facing the No. 4 Manitoba Bisons (11-3-0-0) Friday and Saturday, December 1 and 2.
The two Canada West rivals have plenty of history over the last few seasons having met in the playoffs two straight years including the 2015-16 conference final where the 'Birds won their second banner.
Last season UBC went 3-1 against the Bisons and last faced Manitoba in the first week of conference play this year with each team picking up a win at Doug Mitchell.
The Bisons currently hold down first place in the conference, five points ahead of both UBC and Alberta, giving the 'Birds a big opportunity this weekend to close the gap.
Puck drop Friday is 5:00 p.m. PT with Saturday's 2017 finale set for 11:00 a.m. PT, both at Winnipeg's Wayne Fleming Arena.
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Last Action
The T-Birds came away with three points from last weekend's showdown with Alberta. UBC earned a 3-2 win in overtime Friday night but fell by the same score the following night, also in overtime.
Manitoba swept the Dinos in Calgary with 4-2 and 3-1 wins, respectively. The Bisons are riding a nine-game point streak into this weekend as the hottest team in the Canada West.
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By the Numbers
15 – The number of points UBC has picked up through six road games so far this season. With a 5-1 record away from home, the 'Birds are also the stingiest team defensively on the road having allowed just seven goals against in those six games.
71 – The T-Birds have had 71 power plays through the first half of the season, more than any other team in the Canada West. Oddly enough, the 'Birds are also the most penalized team in the conference giving up the most number of opposition power plays, also with 71.
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Players to Watch
Ireland Perrott (#23, F) – The rookie forward from Alberta leads all Canada West rookies with eight points (2G, 6A). Tied for third in UBC scoring, Perrott had two assists in last Friday night's win over Alberta which included the first assist on
Shay-Lee McConnell's overtime winner.
Jaedon Cooke (#98, F) – Cooke's second goal of the season last Saturday was also her first Canada West shorthanded goal. The second-year forward from Souris, Manitoba is now up to four points on the season and a +6 rating, second highest on the team.
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Coach's Take
Facing the hottest team in the league just one week after hosting the number one ranked team in the country is no easy way to close out 2017, but UBC head coach
Graham Thomas is embracing the challenge.
"It's definitely going to be a mental and physical challenge and I'm really excited to see how our players respond," said Thomas who will be preaching focus at a time when there are lots of distractions including impending exam season. "We're almost out of the November blues here, we're almost at the break, but we don't want to be looking too far ahead. We have to focus on this weekend, one game at a time, one period at a time, one shift at a time, I think that's how we'll have the most success this weekend."
The Bisons find themselves in first place in the conference for a reason, and Thomas knows their scoring depth is something to be wary of.
"They're also good defensively, they block a lot of shots," added Thomas. "We have to work on making sure we can find shooting lanes. We got to do a good job of slowing them down and playing tough defence to not allow them time and space to be creative."
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