VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds Women's Hockey team got a taste of a friendly crowd in last weekend's home-and-home series with the TWU Spartans, but the 'Birds are geared up for their official home opener this Friday, October 22nd when they host the Manitoba Bisons for the first of two weekend contests at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.
Starting the Canada West season 2-0 for the first time in four seasons, the T-Birds head into week two of the shortened campaign with a high degree of confidence, thanks to an 8-0 drubbing of the Spartans last Saturday that saw 15 different skaters pick up at least a point.
"It was great for our players' confidence, especially coming off the past couple years where some of our veteran players really struggled to put pucks in the net," said UBC Head Coach Graham Thomas. "More importantly than the scoring was how we worked hard for those, how we set up those goals. It really was everyone on the ice contributing. We liked how we were playing that led to those goals and I think that's the stuff we have to focus on now."
Friday night marks a clash between the only two undefeated teams coming out of week one action (the Saskatchewan Huskies started the season with a bye week) after Manitoba swept the visiting Calgary Dinos.
It all makes for a very tough early season test for UBC with nobody expecting either side to come close to scoring a two-point converted touchdown's worth of goals.
"They play hard, they battle, they're going to be physical," said Thomas of the 2018 U SPORTS champion Bisons who have been one of the Canada West's perennial contenders. "They got some good offensive weapons and especially some young players that put some points up against a good team in Calgary so it'll be a test for us for sure, probably one of our strongest opponents."
It's a tough test that likely comes at a good time for the 'Birds who believe they have their deepest team in several seasons. But it's the results that will do the talking.
"In this league, the years where we've had a lot of success we've had teams just like this. And the defence being able to contribute on offence, that's key. For us to be successful this year, that's crucial. It's great we're playing the way on paper we wanted to be."
Not only was the offence clicking last weekend against the Spartans, the T-Birds were stingy defensively allowing just the single goal against on 32 shots. Reese Hiddleston picked up her first win with the 'Birds Friday night in Langley while rookie goaltender Elise Hugens earned her first win and shutout on Saturday.
Puck drop Friday is 7:00 p.m. PT with Saturday's rematch set for 1:00 p.m. PT. Tickets are free, but must be reserved in advance. Both games will also be streamed live on Canada West TV.
