CALGARY – Spotting themselves a 3-0 first period lead, the Calgary Dinos handed the UBC Thunderbirds their first loss of the season, 5-2 in a rare morning start at Father David Bauer Arena.
UBC's loss ends their best season-opening win streak in three decades while the Dinos (2-2-1) snap a three-game losing streak with the decisive victory.
"It was probably a combination of us not being sharp and them being really hungry," said UBC head coach
Sven Butenschon. "They were desperate and played really hard. They grinded and had a good start and set the tempo and we couldn't really match it for most of the game."
An early penalty in the first period didn't faze the Dinos as they promptly opened scoring at the 5:57 mark. After Logan Fisher and Bradley Schoonbaert began a scramble in front of the net, Cook potted a rebound, elevating the puck over Thunderbirds starting goalie
Rylan Toth.
Less than 10 minutes later, Dinos forward Dane Gibson capitalized on a T-Birds turnover, wristing a shot past blocker side for his first of the season.
Things didn't get any better for UBC (4-1) as just 26 seconds later, Riley Sheen tripled the Dinos' lead, scoring his fifth goal in five games, beating Toth neatly on a wraparound.
It took the 'Birds over 15 minutes to register their first shot of the second frame despite two power play chances during that span.
Late in the period, Dinos defender Jake Kearley took a roughing penalty, and UBC finally got on the board. With less than five seconds on the clock, fifth-year forward
Michael Stenerson chipped the puck up off a faceoff and put it over the left shoulder of Dinos netminder Jordan Papirny, cutting the deficit to two heading to the final frame.
Steven Hodges and
Austin Vetterl were credited with the assists.
The Dinos got momentum right back on their side in the third scoring twice within 73 seconds to take a 5-1 lead.
Rookie UBC forward
Quentin Greenwood cut the T-Birds' deficit to three halfway through the period with
Tanner Faith and
Chase Clayton picking up the helpers. But the 'Birds were unable to close the gap further. The 'Birds went 1-for-5 on the power play and killed off all three Calgary chances.
"I'm sure we'll have a different game tomorrow," added Butenschon. "As long as we learn from today and come out with a little edge to our game and keep things simpler, we'll be fine."
UBC will aim for the weekend split against their southern Alberta rivals Saturday afternoon. Puck drop is 1:00 p.m. PT.
