The Matchup
It's a new year and a fresh start for the UBC Thunderbirds (7-8-1) who exit the holiday break tied for fourth place in the Canada West heading into a weekend doubleheader against the Dinos (4-8-4) in Calgary this Friday and Saturday, January 5 and 6.
The Dinos sit just three points back of the T-Birds as each of the remaining 12 regular season games have huge importance in the race to secure a playoff spot.
The 'Birds are hoping the turning of the calendar will also bring improved fortunes after dropping eight in a row to close out 2017.
UBC will look for redemption in Calgary after suffering 6-1 and 7-0 losses to the Dinos in Vancouver back in mid-October. The results of those games have since been overturned, however, due to a Calgary eligibility violation, making for a very hungry and determined Dinos squad as well.
Puck drop for the first game of 2018 is set for 6:00 p.m. PT Friday followed by the final regular season meeting between the 'Birds and Dinos at 1:00 p.m. PT Saturday, both at Calgary's Father David Bauer Arena.
Last Action
The T-Birds dropped both halves of a home doubleheader against the Manitoba Bisons in early December.
Calgary picked up a single point from a home-and-home series with the Pronghorns. The Dinos outshot Lethbridge 47-32 but lost 4-1 before falling 4-3 in overtime at home the next day.
By the Numbers
22.2 – The 'Birds continue to boast the leading power play in the Canada West clicking at 22.2 percent. UBC has scored 16 times on the man advantage despite having just 63 opportunities, the fewest in the conference.
3.1 – UBC has averaged 3.1 goals for on the road so far this season compared to an average of just 2 on home ice. The 'Birds are 3-4-1 on the road with their first four games of 2018 away from home.
Players to Watch
Michael Stenerson (#5, F) – The fourth year forward put up four points (2G, 2A) in the final weekend of 2017. The Surrey native has already eclipsed his point total from last season now with 11 and his seven goals are good for second on the 'Birds.
Tanner Faith (#7, D) – After missing the first 16 games of the season due to injury, the 'Birds are expected to get a big piece of their blue line back this weekend as second-year Arts student
Tanner Faith makes his return.
Coach's Take
The break from game action has given UBC a good opportunity to assess their first half while also hitting the re-set button.
"The guys are energized, they're refreshed," said head coach
Sven Butenschon. "The practices have been great, we've had a lot of meetings, a lot of video, addressed a lot of things and it's been fun. The buy-in has been great and the energy has been great, now we just have to keep it going into the weekend."
With Calgary currently on the outside of the playoff picture, Butenschon knows the 'Birds will be facing a rabid opponent.
"We're going to be playing a team that's so desperate and so hungry," said the second-year bench boss. "We're going to have to be smart and patient and try to counter on them because they're going to throw everything at us. They're almost in a must-win situation every weekend. Our road effort has always been good so here we go on the road again, we just need to put on our hardhats on and try to get a pair of greasy wins."
