The Matchup
After a perfect 4-0 start to 2018 at home, the No. 3 UBC Thunderbirds (12-4-2-2) look to keep their hot streak going while heading on the road for the first time in the new year to take on the Lethbridge Pronghorns (3-13-2-2) Friday and Saturday, January 19 and 20.
The 'Birds are riding a ten-game point streak that has seen them vault into first place in the Canada West, two points up on the Manitoba Bisons. UBC hasn't lost a game in regulation since November 11 and just one more win, regulation or otherwise, on Friday will see the T-Birds clinch a playoff berth.
The last time the 'Birds and 'Horns met back in late October, UBC swept the weekend series which saw Lethbridge play a stingy, defensive game allowing just three combined goals against while managing just one of their own. The Pronghorns currently find themselves five points behind Calgary and in last place in the conference.
Puck drop at the Nicholas Sheran Ice Centre on Friday is 6:00 p.m. PT with Saturday's rematch at 2:00 p.m. PT.
Â
Last Action
UBC earned the season series sweep over Regina with a 4-2 win last Friday night at Father Bauer Arena followed by a thrilling 3-2 double overtime victory on Saturday.
Cassandra Vilgrain scored the incredibly rare double overtime penalty shot game winner to secure UBC's eighth win in in their last ten games.
The Pronghorns dropped both halves of a home-and-home series with the Mount Royal Cougars by a single goal. Lethbridge has lost six in a row heading into Friday night and the 'Horns are in danger of being swept by UBC for a second straight year.
Â
By the Numbers
6 – The T-Birds carry a six-game win streak over the Pronghorns into Friday night's battle. UBC has outscored Lethbridge by a combined 16-5 margin over that span with three shutouts.
.792 – At .792, UBC has the best road points percentage in the Canada West with a 6-1-1 record. The 'Birds have allowed just nine goals against away from home, by far the best in the conference.
Â
Players to Watch
Emily Costales (#11, F) – It's been quite the second half of the season for the rookie forward who is coming off a four-point weekend against Regina, including her first three-point game as a Thunderbird. The Vancouver native is up to 11 points on the season to lead all Canada West rookies.
Cassandra Vilgrain (#91, F) – The fifth-year forward scored her first penalty shot goal in recent memory last Saturday, part of a two-goal performance that saw her earn the game's first star. Vilgrain finished with a three-point weekend and leads UBC in points per game with 0.71.
Â
Coach's Take
The opportunity to clinch a playoff spot this weekend and continue towards clinching a home berth is in the back of the team's minds, but not something head coach
Graham Thomas nor his players are focussed on.
"Day-to-day it's just about this weekend, these are our biggest games and we need to go into every game with that mindset," said Thomas who is set to guide the 'Birds into the post-season for the sixth straight year. "I feel like we're coming together nicely right now but at the same time we can't become complacent in this league. We can't take anything for granted, we can't take (Lethbridge) lightly."
With injuries once again leaving the 'Birds without some key bodies especially up front, the team may have some different looks, but the same solid goaltending tandem of
Amelia Boughn and
Tory Micklash.
"They've been massive, our goaltending's been excellent," said Thomas of his netminders who lead the conference with an incredible 1.45 goals against average. "They push each other and push all our players every day. It's a good healthy competition right now and we just have to make sure we're always there for them and battling for them."
Â
