With just two weeks remaining in the Canada West regular season, the UBC Thunderbirds have already clinched a playoff spot and are on the hunt for a home berth as they head east this weekend to visit the Saskatchewan Huskies Saturday, October 13th followed by a trip south to Regina to face the Cougars on Sunday, October 14th.
The sixth ranked Thunderbirds (8-2-0) are riding a five-game winning streak and will look to keep pace with the Trinity Western Spartans who sit just three points ahead of UBC atop the Pacific division.
This weekend marks the final long-distance road trip of the regular season for the 'Birds who face a pair of opponents fighting for their playoff lives. The Huskies (2-4-4) currently hold down the final playoff spot in the Prairie division while the Cougars (2-7-1) are just three points behind.
UBC enters the weekend with the conference's second best goal differential having scored 29 goals while allowing just seven against. In fact, the 'Birds have let in just two goals in their last seven matches.
Kickoff in Saskatoon against the Huskies on Saturday is set for 11:00 a.m. PT with Sunday's game in Regina also beginning at 11:00 a.m. PT.
Last Action
The T-Birds earned another two points in both the standings and the Legends Cup series with a decisive 6-1 win over the Victoria Vikes at Thunderbird Stadium last Friday night.
Michelle Jang scored twice as the 'Birds outshot the Vikes by a 21-7 margin.
The Huskies swept a home-and-home series against Regina last weekend for their first two wins of the season, both by a 1-0 count.
By the Numbers
18 – The 'Birds have a plus-18 goal differential on their current five-game win streak, allowing just one goal against in that span.
6 – UBC's keeper duo of
Emily Moore and
Sarah Johns have combined for six clean sheets.
Players to Watch
Michelle Jang (#13, F) – Having scored at least once in four of her last five games, the rookie forward from Calgary is tied with
Danielle Steer for the team lead in goals with seven on the season.
Sophie Damian (#2, D) – Another rookie, Damian scored her first Canada West goal against the Vikes last weekend and now has points in two consecutive games.
Coach's Take
The 'Birds are looking good in all facets heading into the home stretch of the regular season, and now it's a matter of keeping up that intensity and even amplifying it.
"Overall I think everyone is contributing well and we're a team that's confident right now," said UBC head coach
Jesse Symons. "We had a good home stand and are going to hopefully continue to push forward toward the playoffs. Every team is fighting for position so every game right now is crucial to seeding."
What will add to the intensity this weekend is the race for first in the division combined with facing two opponents fighting for their lives.
"Each game we're definitely focussed on ourselves and continue to gain ground on Trinity. This weekend is important to come away with some good results but we're playing two teams in tough conditions that are fighting for playoff spots as well."
