Eight weeks after their first practice of the season, the UBC Thunderbirds are finally set for their home opening weekend taking on the Mount Royal Cougars Friday and Saturday, October 12th and 13th at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.
Following an exciting preseason and a Canada West season opening sweep in Lethbridge, followed by a conference-wide bye last weekend, the 'Birds are fresh and pumped to finally play at home, kicking off what is a season full of promise.
The T-Birds have added one of the country's top recruiting classes to a strong returning roster making for what UBC hopes will be a contending product in the Canada West.
Finishing the 2017-18 season with five wins in their last six home games, the 'Birds are looking to stay hot at Doug Mitchell for their only two contests in Vancouver through the first four weeks of the season.
Puck drop for the 'Birds home opener Friday night is 7:00 p.m. PT with Saturday's rematch set for 2:00 p.m. PT.
Tickets are available online or at the door.
Last Action
The 'Birds opened the 2018-19 Canada West season with a sweep over the Pronghorns in Lethbridge with 6-4 and 3-2 wins, respectively.
The Cougars earned a pair of home wins over the visiting Regina Cougars to open up their season. Mount Royal posted a dominant 7-2 win in their season opener but needed overtime for a 3-2 victory the following afternoon.
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By the Numbers
5 – Five of the T-Birds' 10 goals through the first week of the season came on the man advantage for a 50% success rate. Finishing last season with the conference's second-best power play, UBC is off to a roaring start on special teams with a 90.0% penalty kill.
13 – A total of 13 different skaters found the scoresheet in Lethbridge as the 'Birds spread the offence around.
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Players to Watch
Carter Popoff (#42, F) – The third-year forward appears to be a man on a mission following up a tremendous preseason with three goals in his first two games. The Richmond native's trio of tallies, all on the power play, is good for a share of the Canada West lead.
Josh Connolly (#27, D) – Now in his fourth season with the 'Birds, Connolly leads the team with three assists, all on the man advantage. After a couple injury plagued seasons, the veteran defenceman is healthy and showing why he is one of the most effective two-way blue liners in the conference.
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Coach's Take
The 'Birds have started the season 2-0 for the first time in four years, and it's thanks in large part to a gritty work ethic and solid special teams.
"I saw a team that really competed, we were good in the dirty areas, got to the middle of the ice," said UBC head coach
Sven Butenschon. "I think we still have to work on consistency and putting a full 60 minutes together with no let-ups regardless of what the score is."
Friday night will mark the Thunderbirds debut for forward
Steven Hodges who adds some serious offensive punch along with the rest of UBC's strong rookie class.
"They've been great, they've worked extremely hard and I think they've been good for the older guys, they've been pushing them and their habits are great," added Butenschon. "Steven is a highly skilled player that can do anything for us, I think he'll be able to do some serious damage in this league."
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