Looking to buck a mini slump, the UBC Thunderbirds head to Winnipeg to face the Manitoba Bisons Friday and Saturday, November 16 and 17 for their final road trip of the 2018 portion of the Canada West season.

It's been a rough go for the 'Birds (5-5-0) who have dropped three in a row while dealing with a number of significant injuries. But a bounce back effort last Saturday against Saskatchewan and a determined resolve are positive signs for UBC as they face the Bisons (2-8-0) for the first time this year.



The 'Birds find themselves in a tie with the Mount Royal Cougars for fourth in the conference, just five points out of second but also five points out of seventh, making for a key series.

Puck drop Friday is 5:00 p.m. PT at Wayne Fleming Arena with Saturday's game beginning at 11:00 a.m. PT.
 

Last Action

The T-Birds dropped both games against the Saskatchewan Huskies last weekend. After a 6-1 loss Friday night, UBC rebounded with a very strong effort but chippy play and injuries led to a pair of third period Huskie goals on Saturday, resulting in a 3-2 defeat.

Manitoba suffered a weekend sweep in Lethbridge. The Bisons lost 4-1 Friday night and despite putting up a whopping 55 shots on Saturday, suffered a 6-3 loss. Manitoba has now dropped seven in a row.
 

By the Numbers

19.8 – UBC has averaged 19.8 penalty minutes per game, the second highest in the conference. Despite finding themselves in the box this often, the 'Birds penalty kill remains very strong at 88.5 percent.



1 – Six of UBC's last 12 meetings with the Bisons have been decided by just a single goal with the 'Birds coming out on top in three of them. It's an indication of just how tight the recent historical series has been between the two Canada West rivals.
 

Players to Watch

Austin Glover (#20, F) – After suffering an injury in preseason, the second-year forward made his return to the lineup last weekend putting up a goal and an assist in the process. The Saskatoon native finished his rookie season with nine points in 22 games.



Rylan Toth (#34, G) – Boasting a 4-2 record between the pipes for the 'Birds, the second-year goaltender has had a very strong start to the season with a .909 save percentage while facing an average of 36.5 shots per game.
 

Coach's Take

After a pair of rough results first in Alberta then at home last Friday to Saskatchewan, the 'Birds saw a determined, gritty effort last Saturday against the Huskies which is exactly what UBC's bench boss is looking for more of.

"The compete level, the desire, the willingness to take hits to make plays, to get to dirty areas, we saw all that stuff," said UBC head coach Sven Butenschon. "It still didn't result in a win but we're focusing on all that positive stuff. It's been a tough month here playing some strong opponents and being on the road a lot. We've been on the road so much I think we're probably more comfortable there right now."



That compete level will need to continue this weekend against a very gritty and hardnosed Manitoba team that will be very hungry to get a pair of wins on home ice.

"We need to get back to being determined and being hungry for pucks and doing whatever we can to win those battles," added Butenschon who says it all starts in their defensive zone. "We need to get the puck going north and get it into the hands of our forwards cleanly where they have a chance to generate some speed and offence through the neutral zone. We're really working on breakouts through the D zone and hopefully that's going to result in some offence."