LETHBRIDGE – On the strength of four power play goals, the UBC Thunderbirds spoiled the Lethbridge Pronghorns' 2018-19 Canada West men's hockey home opener, skating away with a 6-4 victory Friday night at the Nicholas Sheran Ice Centre.
Third-year forward Carter Popoff had a two-goal, three-point night, scoring the game winner while Michael Stenerson also found the back of the net twice. Nine different T-Birds found the scoresheet while second-year goaltender Rylan Toth made 36 saves for the win in net.
"Special teams were really good for us, the skilled guys really showed composure," said UBC head coach Sven Butenschon. "The penalty killers were terrific, Riley Guenther and Chase Clayton were blocking shots like crazy."
Garret Hughson started in goal for the Pronghorns and stopped 17 of 21 shots before being lifted following the Thunderbirds' fifth goal. Freshman Taz Burman made 10 saves in relief.
After killing off an early penalty, UBC capitalized on a power play of their own. Adam Rossignol found himself all alone in front for a tap in to open scoring just 4:44 in.
Less than two minutes later the 'Birds would double their lead. Austin Vetterl fed a pass across on a partial two-on-one to Michael Stenerson, who tapped home his first of the season.
Following less than an ideal start for the Pronghorns, the home side cut the lead in half on a fortuitous bounce. Freshman forward Jordan Roy drove towards the net and his centering pass caromed off a T-Birds defender and past a surprised Toth, for his first Canada West goal.
Off a Pronghorn turnover in the neutral zone late in the period, Stenerson kept on a two-on-one and made no mistake beating Pronghorn goaltender Garret Hughson high glove for his second of the frame.
Looking to get back into the game, the Pronghorns cut the lead back to one with an early second period goal. Clint Filbrandt patiently held the puck at the blue line and his wrist shot from just inside the point eluded Toth.
It didn't take the Thunderbirds long to regain the two goal lead. With a two man advantage, Jerret Smith beat Hughson with a one-timer from the left face-off circle and the penalties proved costly as UBC upped the lead to 5-2 only 43-seconds later.
Popoff walked off the half wall and snapped a shot past Hughson for his first of the season. That goal spelled the end of the night for the Lethbridge starter who was replaced by Burman.
"He's got some serious game going right now," said Butenschon of Popoff who put up his second straight three-point season opener. "He's got some good chemistry with his linemates. He worked so hard in the gym in the summer, he's put on some extra size and strength and he's got a little more confidence taking pucks to the net because of it."
Just past the three minute mark of the third, Popoff picked up his second of the night to put the T-Birds up 6-2, but the Pronghorns wouldn't go away quietly scoring twice in a 1:15 span. But the lead was too insurmountable as the T-Birds open the season 1-0.
Stenerson, Popoff, Rossignol, Joe Carvalho, and Josh Connolly all finished with multiple points. UBC went 4-for-6 on the power play and killed off six of seven Lethbridge chances.
The 'Birds and Pronghorns will square off tomorrow afternoon in a rematch. Puck drop is slated 12:00 p.m. PT at Nicholas Sheran Arena and the game can be watched live on www.canadawest.tv.
