LETHBRIDGE – For the second straight game, Carter Popoff scored the game winner on the power play for the UBC Thunderbirds who earned the season opening weekend sweep of the host Lethbridge Pronghorns by way of a 3-2 victory Saturday afternoon at the Nicholas Sheran Ice Centre.
The 'Birds (2-0) finished 1-for-4 on the man advantage for a total of five power play goals on the weekend while rookie goaltender Patrick Dea made 29 saves for his first Canada West win. UBC's penalty kill was solid again going a perfect 3-for-3.
"We got a great penalty kill late in the third period which was huge," said UBC head coach Sven Butenschon who was happy with his team's special teams performance throughout the weekend. "I think we're still trying to force things through the middle of the ice instead of trying more high percentage plays but five power play goals on the weekend, we'll take that anytime."
It was a much tighter affair than the night before with the Pronghorns (0-2) playing a very structured style as the game remained scoreless through the first 20 minutes.
UBC opened scoring 3:22 into the second when fourth-year forward Austin Vetterl notched his first of the season. The 'Birds took advantage of a turnover in the Pronghorns' zone and Vetterl made no mistake on a one-timer from the slot off a nice pass from Tyler Sandhu. Michael Stenerson picked up the second helper.
The T-Birds doubled their lead with eight minutes remaining in the frame when Quentin Greenwood scored his first Canada West goal on a rebound in the slot. Raymond Grewal earned his first point of the season with the lone assist.
The Pronghorns got on the board just over a minute later at the 13:11 mark with Landon Gross' first of the season. UBC carried the one-goal lead into the final period.
After Lethbridge forward Russell Maxwell was called for a hook early in the third, Popoff converted on the man advantage for his third of the season from fourth-year defenceman Josh Connolly to restore UBC's two-goal lead.
The 'Horns got one back less than 90 seconds later with Gross' second of the game, but the home side was unable to find the equalizer despite some intense pressure in the T-Birds' zone with the extra attacker in the final minutes.
UBC outshot the Pronghorns 48-31.
"(Dea) made some great saves," added Butenschon, praising his rookie goaltender. "He was solid, he was good playing the puck, he was calm under pressure, all the things that you're looking for he was there and got it done."
The weekend sweep makes it four straight wins for the 'Birds in Lethbridge and the first 2-0 start to the season for UBC in three years.
"We're prepared, we're hungry, we weren't complacent from a win the night before, but it wasn't easy," added Butenschon. "We were playing with just three lines by the third period, it was just a real gutsy effort by everybody."
The 'Birds aren't back in action until they host the Mount Royal Cougars on Friday, October 12th for their home opener at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.
