The UBC Thunderbirds open play at their first David Johnston University Cup since 1977 on Friday, March 13
th when they face the defending champion University of New Brunswick Reds at Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia in a quarter-final matchup.
With a berth in the national semifinals and a chance to play for a medal on the line the T-Birds will be looking to continue what's been a remarkable post-season run.
The last time UBC found themselves at the national championship tournament, the 'Birds came away with a bronze finish after falling to the University of Toronto in a two-game aggregate series that saw the Varsity blues outscore the T-Birds 11-10.
2020 is the fourth program appearance at the University Cup for UBC with the 'Birds looking for their first ever championship title.
The Reds, on the other hand, enter the tournament as the top-seed, looking for their second consecutive national banner having won the big prize seven times in the last 13 seasons.
After finishing their AUS regular season 26-4-0, UNB hoisted their third straight AUS title after defeating the U SPORTS tournament host Acadia Axemen in three games.
The winner of the quarter-final will advance to face either the Axemen or the OUA champion Ottawa Gee-Gees in a semifinal Saturday.
Puck drop Friday is set for 10:00 a.m. PT at Scotiabank Centre. The game will be streamed live on
CBC Sports.
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Last Action
The T-Birds punched their ticket to their first national championship in 43 years after defeating the Alberta Golden Bears in the Canada West semifinals. Advancing to the conference championship, the 'Birds lost to the Saskatchewan Huskies in two tightly fought games. The Huskies are also competing in Halifax facing the Western Mustangs in their quarter-final.
UNB makes their sixth straight national championship appearance and 19
th in program history. The Reds won their final 13 regular season games before sweeping Moncton in the AUS semifinals and then defeating Acadia to clinch their 17
th conference title.
Players to Watch
Tyler Sandhu (#19, F) – Leading the Thunderbirds with four post-season assists, the third-year forward finished the Canada West playoffs with five total points including the series winning goal against Alberta. Sandhu led the 'Birds in the regular season with 12 goals and 23 points.
Jake Kryski (#14, F) – Kryski finished the Canada West playoffs as the league's leading scorer with seven points, including a conference high four goals. After leading the T-Birds in rookie scoring with 18 regular season points, Kryski  now has 13 points in his last 11 games overall.
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Coach's Take
The quarter-final matchup with New Brunswick will be UBC's first ever meeting with the Reds in the long history of both programs. But despite the unfamiliarity, the T-Birds are quite comfortable with the situation they find themselves in.
"We've been in a real road warrior mentality for the last eight weeks, we're used to it, used to getting in late, traveling, practicing in other rinks," said UBC head coach
Sven Butenschon who feels facing the Reds is similar to what the 'Birds have experienced already this post-season. "It definitely has that same kind of vibe going up against another powerhouse team in U SPORTS. We can build off those experiences and use that."
Facing the defending national champions certainly has its share of challenges, but the T-Birds are ready to meet yet another big test head on.
"They're tenacious, they're strong, they're big," Butenschon said of the Reds. "They try to run you out of the building in the first ten minutes. We have to be prepared for a real hard push from them and we've done that most of the playoffs. Everybody's got to be ready, everybody's got to have attention to detail on the defending side of the puck because everyone can score on that team."
The single elimination format of the championship also adds a different element than anything the T-Birds have faced this season.
"You can't overcomplicate things, you can't worry about anything else but your next shift, the next period. Having a good start, that's going to be massive. You got to get that belief going, you need a save early on and you need to capitalize on your chances early on and then go from there and settle into the game as the time goes on."
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