KAMLOOPS, B.C. – The UBC Thunderbirds (3-0-1) remained unbeaten in 2017 after two second half goals salvaged a valuable road point in a 2-2 draw with the Thompson Rivers Wolfpack (1-1-2) on Sunday afternoon at Hillside Stadium in Kamloops.
UBC striker
Kristian Yli-Hietanen equalized in the 85th minute, finishing off a nifty feed across the goalmouth from
Connor Guilherme. The goal completed the comeback for the Thunderbirds, who were down 2-0 at halftime.
"We were disappointed with our first half but we thought there were some decent moments that we could build off of," said UBC head coach
Mike Mosher. "This was the first bit of adversity we have faced this year and we challenged the boys to show us what kind of character response we could get. I thought we were quite dominant in the second half."
The Canada West tilt started at the scheduled 2:00pm, but not before officials had considered postponing the match due to smoke from the region's wildfires lingering around the stadium.
The Wolfpack showed no ill effects from the smoky conditions, as they jumped on the Thunderbirds early and hit the scoreboard in only the 7th minute. A nifty passing play between Wolfpack attackers Justin Donaldson and Ryan Glanville culminated in a through ball to striker Josh Banton. Banton drove a low shot inside the far post, past the outstretched gloves of UBC 'keeper
Chad Bush, making it 1-0 TRU.
Donaldson doubled the lead in the 27th minute when he headed home a pinpoint cross out of the left corner from James Fraser.
UBC head coach
Mike Mosher went to his bench, bringing midfielder
Zach Verhoven into the game in the 36th minute and winger
Mihai Hodut in at halftime. Both players brought speed and fresh legs to the UBC flanks and seemed to invigorate the Thunderbird attack.
Verhoven's corner kick found the forehead of Guilherme in the 54th minute. The UBC centre back made no mistake, driving the ball down into the bottom corner of Wolpack goal.
With the 'Birds pressing the attack, it was Bush who made a decisive play to keep the match a one-goal affair in the 79th minute. A deflected shot found the boot of Fraser, who drove the rebound towards goal. Bush stood his ground and pushed the shot away with both his gloves. The rebound landed fortuitously in the path of Fraser again, but Guilherme courageously slid into the picture and blocked Fraser's second shot attempt.
"John (TRU head coach John Antulov) has done a terrific job bringing in some top quality players. We knew that Thompson Rivers was going to be a good team and they wanted to make a statement from this game," added Mosher. "We weren't up for it in the first half, but we were in the second. Credit to John for putting together a strong team."
Bush ended the game with three saves on five shots, while TRU 'keeper Lubomir Magdolen stopped seven of the nine shots directed his way.
The Thunderbirds will now enjoy a bye week before hosting the Calgary Dinos and MacEwan Griffins on September 15 and 16 respectively at UBC.
