The Matchup
The UBC Thunderbirds (12-13-3) are riding some serious momentum into this weekend's Canada West quarter-final against the Calgary Dinos (18-9-1) as the best-of-three series kicks off Friday, February 17th.
With their backs against the wall for much of the season, the T-Birds clawed their way back into the playoff race with an impressive stretch drive. Going 7-3-2 since the calendar turned to 2017 UBC enters the post-season on a four game win streak.
The Dinos have also had an impressive second half of the season and enter this weekend's series with five straight wins.
It was a tight season series between the Thunderbirds and Dinos while Calgary holds the edge going 3-1. UBC dropped a pair of 1-0 decisions in Calgary in mid-October and earned a split at home in early December.
This quarter-final series marks the 10
th post-season meeting between the two programs since the 1969-70 season and the third meeting in the past six seasons. The Dinos hold an 8-1 series record over the T-Birds while UBC has not defeated Calgary in a playoff series since 1971. The last three series have all gone to a third and deciding game.
Puck drop Friday is set for 6:00 p.m. PT, game 2 Saturday starts at 5:00 p.m. PT and game 3, if necessary, will begin at 5:00 p.m. PT. All games will be held at Calgary's Father David Bauer Arena.
Last Action
The Thunderbirds needed a pair of wins over the Mount Royal Cougars in the final weekend of the regular season and they did just that with a pair of 2-1 victories in Calgary last Friday and Saturday. The T-Birds have now won four in a row and five of their last seven with points in five straight games.
The Dinos earned a weekend sweep over the Cougars in Regina to close out the regular season. Calgary needed overtime Friday night in a 2-1 win followed by a 4-2 victory Saturday.
By the Numbers
10 – In their four regular season meetings the T-Birds and Dinos combined for only 10 total goals. Calgary boasts a stingy defence allowing just 32 goals against on home ice, second lowest in the conference.
7 – UBC has scored seven power play goals in the last six games converting on 22 percent of chances during that span. Special teams as a whole have been very strong of late with the T-Birds successful on 18 of their last 19 penalty kills.
Players to Watch
Joe Antilla (#20, F) – The graduating forward led the way into the playoffs for UBC scoring both game winning goals against Mount Royal last weekend finishing with three points. In his final season, Antilla reached new career bests in assists with 11 and points with 18.
Derek Dun (#34, G) – Winning his last four straight starts, Dun has been on fire boasting a .957 save percentage and a 1.25 goals against average during his win streak.
Quotable
