With the Canada West playoffs just around the corner, the UBC Thunderbirds head to frigid Regina to face the last place Cougars while still looking to lock down the final home post-season berth.

Entering the final week of the regular season, the Calgary Dinos are locked into third place while the Lethbridge Pronghorns have clinched sixth with the rest still to be determined. Sitting just one point back of the fourth-place Mount Royal Cougars, UBC (12-12-2) has the potential (with some help on the out of town scoreboard) to secure a home berth for the second consecutive year.



But first and foremost, the 'Birds are looking to keep building positive momentum and head into the post-season playing the right way, building off last Saturday's 6-2 win over the Bisons.

The Cougars (4-21-1) have been eliminated from playoff contention but will certainly be looking to play the role of spoiler while also sending off their graduating seniors in style.
Puck drop Friday night at the Co-Operators Centre is 5:00 p.m. PT with Saturday's final regular season contest scheduled for 1:00 p.m. PT.
 

Last Action

Following a frustrating 2-0 loss to the Bisons last Friday night at home, the 'Birds bounced back and then some with a 6-2 dominant performance Saturday. Chase Clayton scored his first career hat trick in his final regular season home game to lead the 'Birds to their first win in four games.

Regina suffered the weekend sweep by the host Calgary Dinos last weekend with 6-1 and 5-2 losses. The Cougars have just one win in their last ten games and come into Friday on a four game losing skid.
 

Players to Watch

Adam Rossignol (#15, F) – UBC's only graduating senior to have played all five of his U SPORTS eligible seasons with the T-Birds, Rossignol had a goal and an assist last Saturday to set a new career high with 13 points heading into the final weekend of the regular season. The veteran forward's game winner last Saturday gave him a new single season personal best five goals on the year.



Austin Glover (#20, F) – The second-year forward had a pair of helpers last Saturday, his second multi-point game of the season. Glover is playing his best hockey of late not only contributing on offence but solid on the draw, playing physical, and recovering pucks in his own zone. The Saskatoon native is up to 10 points through 16 games on the season, surpassing his rookie season total.
 

Coach's Take

With just two games left to tune up for the post-season, the 'Birds know they can't rest on their laurels after last Saturday's impressive win, they need to build on it.

"We've been working on certain aspects of our game in the last month and haven't got the results, Saturday it kind of came together," said UBC head coach Sven Butenschon. "But for us, we just have to continue through the process and try to build up some momentum and go into the playoffs feeling good."

The Cougars may be out of the playoff picture, but there's little doubt they will be motivated, especially for their graduating seniors who are set to suit up for the final time.



"We've never had it easy in Regina, they've always played us well," added Butenshcon. "They're a hardworking group, big prairie kids. They're going to try to win a game for their seniors so we need to be prepared and be smart."

Securing home ice for the quarter-finals would certainly be a benefit for the 'Birds, but the priority remains putting together two solid, 60 minute efforts this weekend.

"Whatever happens at the end of the season happens. We'll let the dust settle and approach that challenge when it comes."