REGINA, Sask. – The UBC Thunderbirds collected a valuable point but couldn't end their losing streak as Regina's Landon Peel scored on a breakaway just 12 seconds into double overtime to give the Cougars a 2-1 win Saturday afternoon, sweeping the weekend series at the Co-operators Centre.
 
Peel's goal was set up by a brilliant pass from rookie forward Ty Barnstable that found him streaking up the right wing. Peel walked in all alone on UBC goalie Patrick Dea and made no mistake, going high blocker side to give the Cougars their fourth consecutive victory to start the calendar year.
 
The torrid start to 2020 has lifted the Cougars (6-12-2) past both UBC and Lethbridge into sole possession of sixth place in the Canada West standings while the T-Birds (4-11-5) currently find themselves one point out of the final conference playoff berth.
 


"We had a lot of scoring chances, put 42 shots on net, limited their scoring chances to just a few but it's just the way the season has gone," said UBC head coach Sven Butenschon. "It's not about scoreboard watching, it's really just about us now."

UBC opened scoring with four minutes left in the first when Austin Vetterl put a shot on net through traffic. Holtby made the initial save, but Jerret Smith was right there to tap in the rebound for his second of the season.
 
The UBC lead lasted until the four minute mark of the second when Dea tried to ring the puck around the boards in his own zone. His clear attempt went right to Brennan Riddle who ripped home a shot before Dea could recover.


 
The Cougars had a golden opportunity to win the game in the first overtime when they were awarded a penalty shot after a UBC skater allegedly covered the puck in the crease, but Conner Chaulk hit the post on the attempt after making a nice deke to his forehand.
 
UBC ended up with a 42-33 advantage in shots, but Holtby was up to the challenge yet again and made 41 stops to improve his Canada West leading save percentage to .920 on the season.
 
The loss extends the 'Birds' losing streak to eight games despite picking up a point in two of the last three.

"It's just going to be a real test of character and will here down the stretch," Butenschon added. "We still believe in the group and have confidence we're going to figure it out. We're going to enjoy the process of digging ourselves out of this hole and become a better team and better players for it."

UBC now turns their focus to the sixth annual Winter Classic set for next Friday, January 17^th when they host the Manitoba Bisons for the first of two mammoth games next weekend.