Following a long summer and an eventful pre-season schedule, the UBC Thunderbirds are ready to finally open up the 2019-2020 Canada West hockey season as they host the defending conference champion Alberta Golden Bears Friday and Saturday, September 27
th and 28
th.
It's a bit like being thrown right into the fire for the T-Birds, up against the unanimous prediction for the Bears to retain their Canada West crown as chosen in the conference coaches' poll released earlier this week.
But opponent aside, the 'Birds are a confident group having faced some strong opposition over the past month, including the powerhouse University of Wisconsin Badgers who paid a visit to UBC at the end of August.
This weekend will be the first opportunity for the T-Birds to see their new recruit class in action that counts, including forwards
Jake Kryski and
Quinn Benjafield who are expected to add an offensive threat to UBC who averaged 2.5 goals per game last season.
The 'Birds are not only gunning for a home ice playoff berth for the third straight season, but also to advance past the quarter-finals for the first time since 2015.
It all starts Friday night at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. PT. The second half of the season opening double header goes Saturday at 7:00 p.m. PT at Father David Bauer Arena.
Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.
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Last Meeting
The 'Birds and Bears last met just a few weeks ago when they battled in a pair of pre-season contests in Northern Alberta. The Golden Bears took both games, extending their overall win streak over UBC to five games.
Last season, the T-Birds earned a split in Edmonton and picked up a single point in two games at home against Alberta by way of a double overtime loss.
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Players to Watch
Carter Popoff (#42, F) – Now into his fourth year with the 'Birds, Popoff led the team last season in assists (16) and points (21). The former Vancouver Giant has raised his point total in each of his previous three seasons and finished this year's pre-season with two goals and three assists in six games.
Jerret Smith (#29, D) – Also entering his fourth season at UBC, the former Seattle Thunderbirds blue liner is into his second season as captain. An outstanding two-way defenceman, Smith has hit double digits in points in each of his previous three seasons. Last year he led all UBC defencemen in goals (8), assists (8), and points (16).
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Coach's Take
Having lost eight members from last year's squad, there's certainly a new look to the T-Birds' dressing room but it's one that has some added skill that could help push the team over the hump.
"Every year you're trying to win a championship and you're putting a plan together and it starts with recruiting," said UBC head coach
Sven Butenschon who enters his fourth season as the T-Birds' bench boss. "With the addition of some skill it gives us a little more hope and belief because we know that in a close game we have enough horses that can make a difference out there. But that doesn't mean it's going to happen automatically and there's still a lot of work to do."
That work starts with a strong test against a very solid Alberta squad.
"We've thrown a lot at the guys over the last three or four weeks starting off with Wisconsin," added Butenschon. "It set the tone right away, we've had really good competition here. I think it's a great test for the first year guys to see how they respond in those situations. We're happy with what we've seen so far but it's only going to get that much harder this weekend."
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