The Matchup
The fourth annual Winter Classic has massive playoff implications as the UBC Thunderbirds (10-9-1) host the Lethbridge Pronghorns (8-10-2) Friday, January 19 at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.
Having won three of their last four games to start 2018, the T-Birds will be looking to stay hot while playing in front of what's expected to be a sold-out crowd of over 5,500 fans.
With just eight regular season games remaining, the 'Birds are in a dogfight for a home playoff berth, currently tied for fourth with the Mount Royal Cougars while sitting three points back of third place Manitoba and three points ahead of the sixth place Pronghorns.
The 'Birds earned a weekend sweep over the Pronghorns in Lethbridge back in late October and clinching the season series could have a significant impact itself.
Puck drop Friday is 7:00 p.m. PT with Saturday's final regular season meeting set for 1:00 p.m. PT, both at Doug Mitchell.
Last Action
It was a convincing weekend sweep for the T-Birds over the Regina Cougars with UBC posting a 3-1 win Friday followed by a 6-1 victory Saturday. The 'Birds completed the season series sweep of the Cougars for the first time in team history.
The Pronghorns earned a single point against the Mount Royal Cougars in last weekend's home-and-home series. Lethbridge fell 5-3 in Calgary Friday night and followed up with a 2-1 overtime loss at home on Saturday.
By the Numbers
60 – The 'Birds' power play clicked at an impressive 60 percent in Regina last weekend scoring three times on five opportunities while also going a perfect 5-for-5 on the penalty kill. The solid special teams play helped bump UBC's power play up to a Canada West leading 22.7 percent.
6.9 – The T-Birds and Pronghorns tend to play in high scoring affairs with an average of 6.9 combined goals per meeting over the last four seasons. Over that 14-game span, the 'Birds have a 7-5-2 record against the 'Horns, outscoring them by a combined 53-43 margin.
Players to Watch
Matt Hewitt (#30, G) – The veteran goaltender had two outstanding performances in Regina making a combined 59 saves on 61 shots for a .967 save percentage, picking up first star in both UBC wins. Hewitt has bumped his season save percentage up to .913 while posting a career-high eight wins and counting.
Carter Popoff (#16, F) – Popoff put up his second three-point game of the season in Saturday's win with a goal and two helpers. The second-year forward is now up to 13 points on the season and continues to provide valuable minutes in all situations.
Coach's Take
Given the high intensity atmosphere that is the Winter Classic and combined with the implications both games this weekend have, UBC head coach
Sven Butenschon says his squad will need to stay even keel and simplify their game.
"It's easy to get carried away and get caught up in the moment so you got to keep your emotions in check," said the second-year bench boss. "We're going to try to just get in the same mindset we've had on the road. We've played really well on the road this year and it's because we simplified our game and limited our turnovers and not try to do too much."
Butenschon credits a team-wide buy-in for improved play to start 2018, something that will have to keep going if the 'Birds want to lock down a home playoff berth.
"We've had a complete team effort," said Butenschon. "We're getting contributions from all over the ice and it's fun as a coach to see that. The buy in has been great, everybody's been coming to the rink with a little more energy, a little more jump in their step and it's carrying over."
