After breaking out last weekend with their first series sweep since mid-November, the UBC Thunderbirds hit the road for a big test against the No. 3 ranked Saskatchewan Huskies this Friday and Saturday, January 24^th and 25^th at Merlis Belsher Place in Saskatoon.

The 'Birds will head into one of the toughest barns in the country with some renewed confidence after ending their eight-game losing streak in style but know they're facing a difficult challenge in the Huskies while also trying to stay in a playoff spot.

Thanks to UBC's four-point weekend against the Bisons, they now enter northern Saskatchewan two points ahead of Regina for the final Canada West post-season berth, three points behind fifth-place Manitoba.



Having already clinched a playoff spot, the Huskies are aiming to lock down a top-two finish which would ensure a bye through to the Canada West semifinals. Saskatchewan currently finds themselves in second, four points behind Alberta and four ahead of Calgary.

The Huskies have been on fire after a slow start out of the gate, having won five straight heading into Friday night with victories in 13 of their last 14 games. The T-Birds garnered a single point out of Saskatchewan by way of an overtime loss when the two played their double header in Vancouver back in early November.

UBC now holds their playoff fate in their own hands but they have their work cut out for them in a city they haven't posted a win in since November 2015.

Puck drop both nights is set for 5:00 p.m. PT at Merlis Belsher Place.
 

Last Action

The 2020 Winter Classic couldn't have gone any better for the 'Birds who burst the dam wide open in a 6-2 win over the Bisons. UBC followed up with a 2-1 double overtime win Saturday to complete the sweep and earn the season series win over Manitoba.


Saskatchewan is coming off perhaps their biggest weekend of the season, posting back-to-back shutout wins over the previously surging Calgary Dinos. Goaltender Taran Kozun made a combined 70 saves and even scored into the empty net, named U SPORTS Athlete of the Week for his efforts.
 

Players to Watch

Austin Vetterl (#17, F) – The veteran forward put up three goals against the Bisons last weekend, scoring both the tying marker late in the third period Saturday and then the game winner in double overtime. Vetterl leads the T-Birds in scoring with 16 points and is just three goals away from 50 in his Canada West career.



Rylan Toth (#34, G) – Toth was tremendous in net for the 'Birds last weekend allowing just three combined goals against on 51 shots for a .941 save percentage. Over his last five appearances, the third-year out of Saskatoon boasts a .924 save percentage and a goals against average of 1.94.
 

Coach's Take

The hard work and perseverance the T-Birds had shown during their losing streak finally paid off last weekend and as far as the coaching staff is concerned, it's further proof that by continuing to do things the right way, the results will indeed eventually come.

"We challenged the guys to stay positive when we weren't getting results but playing the right way," said UBC head coach Sven Butenschon. "We thought we played the right way for most of the weekend and we got results."
It's one thing to earn a well-deserved weekend sweep of Manitoba, but it's another to go into Saskatchewan's barn, especially at this point of the season.



"They're playing as good as anyone else in the league, it's a huge test and a huge challenge and hopefully we can get some momentum from last weekend," added Butenschon. "You got to be on your toes, they're usually at the top of the standings and they're usually a heavy, physical team that wins. So if you don't get jacked up for that game, there's something wrong with you. I know our group will be ready and come Friday night come puck drop it'll be really intense.