CALGARY – The UBC Thunderbirds staked out a 4-1 second period lead, only to settle for a single point in a 5-4 double overtime loss Saturday afternoon as the Calgary Dinos stormed back to sweep the weekend series at Father David Bauer Arena.

Graham Black led the way for the Dinos (4-0) with two tallies, while Alaska-Anchorage transfer Jordan Xavier showed up in a big way with the game-winning goal and a pair of assists, leading the Dinos to a 4-0 start. UBC (0-2-2) is still looking for their first win of the season despite picking up a point in the overtime loss.

"I thought we played a great game, we capitalized on our chances, got out to a 4-1 lead but unfortunately we weren't able to hang on and finish the job," said UBC head coach Sven Butenschon. "There's some good stuff to build off of, but we have to learn how to play with the lead."



Like Friday night's matchup, special teams played a massive role in the second game of the weekend. With the Dinos making an early trip to the sin bin, UBC defenceman Jonathan Smart ripped home a shot from the blue line that was tipped by Quinn Benjafield who scored his first as a Thunderbird a mere 11 seconds into their first man advantage to open scoring.

The Dinos responded when they got a power play opportunity of their own. Ryan Gagnon's shot from the point was redirected by Black past UBC starter Rylan Toth to even the score.

Discipline continued to be an issue for the Dinos in the second period as the Thunderbirds connected for three consecutive power play goals with Jake Kryski setting up all of them, two scored by Austin Glover while Tyler Sandhu earned his second of the season.



With the Dinos trailing by three, the tone of the period switched late when two quick goals from Mitch Cook and Dane Gibson brought the deficit to one and gave the home team some life going into the final frame.

Black wasted little time tying the game in the third as he found the back of the net 64 seconds into the period with another power play goal.

Tighter defensive play sent the game into overtime, which eventually needed a fifth period to decide a winner. Just over three minutes into 3-on-3, Xavier streaked down the right wing and potted a short side attempt to end it.
UBC finished 4-for-5 on the power play, a very good sign of things to come for the T-Birds.

"We just have to learn and grow as a team, and try to get healthy," added Butenschon who is focussed on the positives having played the entire weekend with just ten forwards. "Trying to play with three lines, especially guys coming off injuries who haven't played in a while, and on that huge ice surface is no easy task. So we'll take that point right now, moving forward it's not going to be good enough, but for right now we'll take it."

The T-Birds will aim to end the search for their first win of the season next weekend when they host the Regina Cougars Friday and Saturday, October 18^th and 19^th.