After a much-needed bye week from Canada West action and an opportunity to re-set, rest up, and get healthier, the UBC Thunderbirds are back at it Friday and Saturday, November 15
th and 16
th when they host the Lethbridge Pronghorns at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.
It may still be November, but the desperation to pick up wins now is real as the 'Birds currently sit just one point back of the Pronghorns who currently occupy the sixth and final playoff berth.
Both UBC and Lethbridge have had less than desirable starts to their respective seasons and with the real possibility of the two battling for one of the final playoff positions come February, the points up for grabs this weekend are of critical importance.
The T-Birds have picked up five points in their last five games as they continue to slowly turn things around. The Pronghorns, meanwhile, will also be looking to stem a tide of recent losses as they've dropped five out of their last six games after starting the season 3-1.
Puck drop Friday is 7:00 p.m. PT at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbirds Sports Centre. The back half of the weekend doubleheader goes at 3:00 p.m. PT Saturday with any fans under 18 wearing a jersey gaining free admission.
Tickets for both games are available online at Ticketmaster.
Last Action
The T-Birds earned a single point against the Saskatchewan Huskies by way of a 4-3 overtime loss back on November 2
nd in Vancouver.
Maxwell James picked up a pair of assists while
Jake Kryski and
Jonathan Smart each scored their first goal in the blue and gold.
Lethbridge earned a split in a home-and-home series with the Mount Royal Cougars last weekend. The 'Horns dropped a 6-2 decision in Calgary on Friday night but bounced back at home with a 4-3 shootout win on Saturday after having trailed 3-1 in the third period.
Players to Watch
Austin Vetterl (#17, F) – The veteran T-Bird has three goals in his last three games and six points in his last five. The former Kootenay Ice forward is just five points shy of hitting the century mark in his Canada West career.
Maxwell James (#44, F) – After missing seven of the 'Birds' first eight games due to injury, the hulking forward had a big impact in his return with a pair of assists in UBC's overtime loss to the Huskies. The second-year has a goal and two assists and is a +2 in his three games this season.
Coach's Take
With three weekend series remaining before the December break, the T-Birds are feeling rested and ready to go for a big push to close out the first half of the season.
"We've had a chance to work on things in practice during the week and we're feeling really good about the weekend," said UBC head coach
Sven Butenschon who welcomed last weekend's bye which especially benefitted his younger players still adjusting to life as a student-athlete. "They've been out of school for a few years playing junior hockey and now they've been in school for a couple months and it's a lot, it's really heavy. I'm glad those guys got a chance to take a breath."
For whatever reason, the 'Birds have yet to find success in the opening game of a weekend series. Consistency has remained elusive but there's a big focus to start this weekend strong.
"We're going to be healthy, we're well rested so we better come out guns ablazing," said Butenschon. "This is going to be another weekend that's going to be close. We got to be able to play consistent, shift-in shift-out, a complete game in order to get results."
Scoring has been lacking so far this season for the 'Birds, but between a bye week and a focus on deep breaths and patience, there's a hope there will be some better execution.
"This should be an outlet from the stresses of school and your everyday life. I'm hoping the guys come here with a fresh attitude and ready to go."
