Looking to leave some rough January waters behind them, the UBC Thunderbirds are back at home for the final series of the regular season Friday and Saturday, February 1 and 2 as they host the Manitoba Bisons.

The T-Birds clinched a playoff berth two weeks ago with a thrilling double overtime win over the Calgary Dinos, but it was the high point in a month which saw UBC collect just the single victory while dropping seven others, two of them in OT.

But with the turn of the calendar to a new month comes a bit of a fresh start with just two weeks remaining until the start of the post-season.



UBC enters their final home series just two points back of the Mount Royal Cougars for the final home playoff berth. Meanwhile, the Bisons are fighting for their lives, currently six points behind the Lethbridge Pronghorns for the final spot in the post-season.

Friday night will be extra special for seven Thunderbirds who will suit up for their final regular season weekend in the blue and white. Prior to puck drop, Adam Rossignol, Michael Stenerson, Josh Connolly, Chase Clayton, Raymond Grewal, Riley Guenther, and Devan Fafard will all be honoured for their incredible tenures at Point Grey.

Puck drop Friday is set for 7:00 p.m. PT with Saturday's final home game of the regular season at 12:30 p.m. PT, both at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre. Tickets are available at the door, or online anytime.
 

Last Action

UBC suffered back-to-back shutout losses against the Saskatchewan Huskies in Saskatoon last weekend. It marked the first time since the start of the 2016-17 season the 'Birds had failed to score in two consecutive games.



The Bisons split a weekend double header at home to the Lethbridge Pronghorns dropping Friday night's contest 5-3 before bouncing back with a 5-1 win Saturday. Despite just five wins on the season, Manitoba has won two of their last four.
 

Players to Watch

Joe Carvalho (#26, D) – With a pair of assists in UBC's double overtime win over Calgary two weeks ago, Carvalho bumped his season total to nine helpers, a new career high. The former Prince George Cougar has been a bastion of consistency on the UBC blue line having never missed a game now with 80 straight appearances.



Austin Vetterl (#17, F) – With eight goals and 16 points, Vetterl is tied for the team lead in scoring. One goal shy of 40 in his Canada West career, the Surrey native has averaged .81 points per game as a Thunderbird.
 

Coach's Take

After getting roughed up in Saskatchewan last weekend, the final four games are a huge opportunity for the 'Birds to get some traction heading into the playoffs.

"We need to try to get some more creativity in the offensive zone and activate the d a little more," said UBC head coach Sven Butenschon whose team has struggled to find the back of the net of late. "It's kind of simple, we just need to get pucks to the middle of the ice, get net traffic and make sure the goalie is uncomfortable and cause a little bit of chaos."

The Bisons are currently six points out of a playoff position but still have an outside chance of getting there, meaning the T-Birds can expect a determined Manitoba squad.



"They've had a real tough season, I expect a really strong effort by them, they'll be really motivated," added Butenschon. "But that's exactly what we need, they're going to come hard and we have to match it."

Friday night in particular will be a bitter sweet game for the seven graduating T-Birds who begin their final regular season home weekend in the blue and gold.

"To see those guys get celebrated and recognized after all they've put in the program, it still amazes me what they go through. We got back from Saskatoon late on Sunday and they're talking about going to the library and getting study sessions in. It's like that every day, there's no days off with these guys. Not only do they pass, they excel in school. I have such huge respect for those guys."