The wins have started to come for the UBC Thunderbirds, but a little slower than hoped to start the 2019-20 season. And now a big test awaits as the 'Birds host the Saskatchewan Huskies Friday and Saturday, November 1^st and 2^nd.

Both the T-Birds (2-4-2) and Huskies (3-3-2) have had similar starts to the their respective seasons as UBC currently sits just two points back of Saskatchewan in seventh place in the early season standings. Both teams have faced a difficult early schedule and both have also relied heavily on the power play to produce their offence.

The opportunity to provide some separation is on the table and time will tell which side is able to take advantage.



Last season the Huskies swept all four meetings against the T-Birds and have taken six of their last eight matchups over the last two years.

The 'Birds, now finally getting healthier, will be looking to make a statement against a perennial powerhouse while also aiming to continue slowly climbing the Canada West standings.

Puck drop Friday is set for 7:00 p.m. PT with the second half of the weekend double header scheduled for 3:00 p.m PT on Saturday, both at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.
 

Last Action

The 'Birds earned a second straight weekend split, this time against the Manitoba Bisons in Winnipeg. UBC lost 5-2 on Saturday night but rebounded with a 3-1 win Sunday afternoon.



Saskatchewan took away three points from a home series against the Calgary Dinos with a 3-2 win and a 3-2 overtime loss.
 

Players to Watch

Austin Vetterl (#17, F) – The fifth-year forward finally broke out with a two-goal performance against the Bisons on Sunday. Vetterl enters Friday with five points in his last three games and his six points is good for a share of the team scoring lead.



Austin Glover (#20, F) – The third-year from Saskatoon scored his team-leading fourth goal of the season Sunday. Four of his five points have come on the power play, helping the 'Birds click at an impressive 26.7% on the season.
 

Coach's Take

The 'Birds are 2-2 in their last four games which is an improvement from the first couple weeks of the season, but nobody in the room is close to satisfied.

"We're still not happy with the overall picture of things," said UBC head coach Sven Butenschon. "Hopefully we can get some momentum off that second game in Manitoba and eventually, if you stick to the process and keep doing the little things, good things will happen."

UBC is averaging just 2.25 goals per game and have scored just 10 even strength goals in eight games, but goal scoring is just one concern the team continues to address.



"That's just a small part of it, we've had leads and have scored enough goals to win games, we just haven't been able to hold leads and lock it down," stressed Butenschon who has seen his team average 41 shots on goal the last four games. "I truly believe if we continue to put that many pucks on net, get to the middle of the ice, get to those high danger zones, they're going to go in eventually so we just have to keep believing."

The Huskies' work ethic is what typically drives much of their success and the T-Birds know they'll have to at least match that level of intensity to get points out of this weekend.

"If we had trouble generating offence so far it's going to be even harder this weekend so we got to learn and prepare for a tight matchup. They're going to take your time and space away, we need to be ready to engage in 50/50 pucks, take hits and make plays and draw penalties and keep putting pucks on net."