The UBC Thunderbirds host one of their biggest rivals for the 'Birds' annual mental health awareness game as the No. 10 Saskatchewan Huskies pay a visit Friday and Saturday, January 25 and 26 at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.

Leading up to next week's Bell Let's Talk day, the T-Birds are preparing for a key weekend on the ice as they enter the home stretch towards the post-season, but also off the ice as they show support for the many mental health resources on campus and in the community as a whole.
 

Save the date!#BellLetsTaIk #MentalHealthAwareness #EndTheStigma pic.twitter.com/mC2GkOwQNk

— UBC Women's Hockey (@UBCWHKY) January 20, 2019

The T-Birds can clinch a playoff berth for the seventh consecutive season with an overtime win Friday night while the Huskies, who sit just one point back in fourth place in the conference, need a regulation win to punch their ticket.

It's a critical six points up for grabs this weekend as the 'Birds look to get some breathing room ahead of the Huskies, while also gunning for one of the top two spots in the Canada West which earn a first-round playoff bye. With six games left in the regular season, UBC is seven points behind Alberta and eight back of first place Manitoba.

Puck drop for Friday night's mental health awareness game is 7 p.m. PT with Saturday's rematch also scheduled for 7 p.m. PT, both at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.  
 

Last Action

UBC split last weekend's series in Calgary, suffering a 2-1 loss to the Dinos Friday night before bouncing back with a 4-1 victory on Saturday.

The Huskies swept the visiting Lethbridge Pronghorns with a pair of shutout victories last weekend. Saskatchewan needed double overtime to secure the 1-0 win Friday night and earned a 3-0 win Saturday. Jessica Vance made a combined 42 saves in her pair of shutouts.
 

Players to Watch

Ashley McFadden (#13, F) – UBC's rookie scoring leader had her first three-point game last Saturday with a pair of goals and an assist. McFadden now leads all Canada West rookies with seven goals and is second in rookie scoring with 12 points.



Ireland Perrott (#23, F) – The second-year forward doubled her offensive output on the season in Calgary with a trio of assists. The Calahoo, Alta., native also finished the weekend a +3 and is up to a +6 on the season.
 

Coach's Take

Mental health initiatives have taken off with the entire UBC Athletics department, but the women's hockey team in particular has helped spearhead events like Friday's game. Mental health awareness continues to be a major topic for the 'Birds following the death of former goaltender Laura Taylor less than three years ago.

"Everybody can relate, whether it's themselves personally who have been through struggles or a family member," said UBC head coach Graham Thomas. "Us as a team with Laura, it's very front and centre and very serious and we want to help with awareness and support as best as we can."



As for the games themselves against the Huskies, it marks yet another key matchup for what has become a big rivalry. Saskatchewan defeated UBC in the semifinals last year, while the T-Birds did the same to the Huskies in 2017.

"They ended our season last year and I think that still resonates with a lot of our players," added Thomas. "We need to compete at another level. That will to win and win battles and fight and have that Thunderbird spirit, that needs to be there the rest of the season, period. That is our standard and we can't expect anything less of ourselves."