Everyone loves a little home cooking, and perhaps no one more right now than the UBC Thunderbirds who are back in Vancouver to host the Regina Cougars Friday and Saturday, October 18^th and 19^th.

It's been a rough start to the season for the 'Birds who continue to search for their first win of the campaign while being forced to play with a shortened bench due to a spate of injuries.

The T-Birds' schedule to start the year also hasn't been kind with back-to-back series against nationally ranked teams in the defending conference champion Alberta Golden Bears followed by a visit to the Calgary Dinos last week.



But, there are also positives coming out of the first four games including a conference leading power play and the emergence of what's turning out to be a very strong rookie class.

The 'Birds have had their way with the Cougars the last several seasons, currently riding a 10-game win streak over Regina overall while also winning the last nine meetings at UBC.

Puck drop Friday night is set for 7:00 p.m. PT at Father David Bauer Arena. Saturday the weekend series shifts to the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre with a 3:00 p.m. PT start.

Last Action

The 'Birds earned a single point in Calgary last weekend, thanks to a double overtime loss Saturday night. UBC bounced back from Friday night's 4-1 loss by scoring four power play goals, but succumbed to a third-period Dinos comeback.



Just like the 'Birds, Regina is still seeking their first win, and first points, of the young season after an 0-4 start. The Cougars were swept by the Pronghorns in Lethbridge last weekend, dropping 4-1 and 7-5 decisions.
 

Players to Watch

Austin Glover (#20, F) – The third-year T-Bird scored twice on the power play last Saturday in Calgary. Glover now leads the 'Birds with three goals in four games, all three of them coming on the man advantage.

Jake Kryski (#14, F) – Having missed the first two weeks of the season, Kryski exploded for three assists Saturday, all on the power play. The former Calgary Hitmen forward should continue to be a big boost for the T-Birds' offence moving forward.
 

Coach's Take

Winless through four games doesn't sit well with anybody, and the 'Birds are no exception.

"We've had some tough competition, we've had injuries, but the bottom line is we need to win and we got to regroup here pretty quick and get into Friday rolling on all cylinders," said UBC head coach Sven Butenschon. "We're looking for a complete 60 minutes. We don't have to be amazing for 60 minutes but we just got to recognize when to go, when to try to force plays, when to sit back and learn how to protect a lead."



In part due to the injury situation, the T-Birds' recruit class has been stepping up and playing significant minutes both up front and on the blue line.

"They've been thrown into the fire in a lot of situations and risen to the occasion," Butenschon complimented. "They continue to get better and they still have more to give but it sure is promising when you see those young guys push the pace and jump right in and be impact players."

The Cougars head to Vancouver also winless and, one can assume, equally hungry to end the streak. All the more reason for the 'Birds to just focus on doing what they know will give them success.

"We got to keep it simple. We're going to win by putting pucks on net and overwhelming them shift after shift, coming at them in waves and eventually good things will happen."