VANCOUVER – Having begun the 2021-22 Canada West season a perfect 4-0, the No. 4 UBC Thunderbirds are looking to extend their winning streak as they host the Grant MacEwan Griffins for the first time in Canada West play this Friday and Saturday, October 29th and 30th at Father David Bauer Arena.
Moving up to fourth in the U SPORTS top ten rankings this week, the T-Birds have started 4-0 for the second time in the last three seasons and can win a fifth straight game to start a campaign for the first time in Canada West history with a victory Friday night.
But to a man, the team is trying not to let the growing accolades become a distraction, but rather stay focussed on a challenging, condensed schedule.
"I think the fact we've got a deep squad and everyone has contributed, we haven't relied on any one line in particular or a defenceman, it's been by committee," said UBC Head Coach Sven Butenschon on what has impressed him most about his team's start. "There are a ton of first year guys and second year guys who didn't get to play last year, so it's the first time they're putting on a UBC jersey and they're finding ways to get wins. Lots to like there, lots of mental toughness that I'm seeing and we're going to need it in kind of a strange year."
That strangeness of a COVID-era season such as this reared its ugly head last week when MacEwan's home opening series against the Calgary Dinos was postponed due to an outbreak.
As a result, the now recovered Griffins haven't played in two weeks, but like the T-Birds, carry an undefeated record into Father Bauer after sweeping the Reinga Cougars in their first weekend of Canada West action.
"They come in well-organized, they did a good job recruiting, they've got a great goaltender that's played outstanding so far," Butenschon said of the upstart Griffins. "There's something about Alberta hockey teams, they just find ways to get good players and put good teams together. We're expecting a similar team to Calgary, Mount Royal and any of those guys."
Fresh off back-to-back, come-from-behind wins in Manitoba, the T-Birds are likely being talked about in much the same way by the Griffins as they prepare to visit Vancouver for the first time as a Canada West program.
Having scored at least four goals in each of their four games thus far while allowing just seven against, UBC is tied with Mount Royal for the best goal differential in the conference while sitting alone at the top of the standings, two points ahead of the Cougars.
Nine of the 'Birds' 17 goals have been scored in either the third period or overtime as they continue to wear down the opposition throughout the course of the game. If there's anything UBC would like to improve upon, other than the desire to jumpstart a power play clicking at 10.5 percent, it's starting games more like they are finishing them.
"You always want to start on time, establish your forecheck and D zone…It's something we haven't done a great job of so far. We've had excellent third periods and second halves to games, but can we now come out in the first period and establish who we are?"
This weekend's series will be played on the old Father Bauer ice for the only time this season. Puck drop Friday is 7:00 p.m. PT with Saturday's rematch scheduled for 3:00 p.m. PT.
Tickets are sold out for both games, but both will also be streamed live on Canada West TV.
