VANCOUVER – The quest for a fifth consecutive Canada West championship begins this weekend for the Pacific Division champion UBC Thunderbirds. Saturday night at 7:00 pm at Thunderbirds Stadium, Mike Mosher's crew (9-3-3) takes to the pitch for a 1 vs. 4 quarter-final matchup against the visiting Saskatchewan Huskies (3-7-4).
 
The 'Birds are heading into the playoffs having earned a win or a draw in each of their previous seven matches dating back to October 1^st. The blue and gold finished with a league-leading 37 goals for, while their 12 goals against were the third fewest in all of Canada West.
 
"It's always a goal to come first and to give ourselves the best advantage ahead of the playoffs and earning the chance to play games at home," said head coach Mike Mosher. "Winning our division is an accomplishment. Every year teams around us get better, and we've now won the division nine times out of the last 10. But that said, it doesn't get easier with playoffs now here."
 
With every match now a 'must win' for UBC, they'll look to their veterans to lead the charge. Fifth-year forward Victory Shumbusho posted a team-best 11 goals in 2022, while fellow veterans Logan Chung (five goals) and Nick Fussell (three goals) are no stranger to the moment.  First year standouts Asvin Chauhan and Eric Lajeunesse have been asked to play big minutes this year for UBC, and because of that, they've earned the trust from their teammates and coaching staff.


 
The head coach added, "We've got a very battle tested group with a lot of veterans in our core. But our young players are mature beyond their years and can bring the calmness and the smarts required to deliver in a big game."
 
After failing to qualify for the 2021 Canada West playoffs, the Saskatchewan Huskies are back in the mix in 2022 after finishing fourth in the Prairie Division. Through 14 games, the Huskies managed 18 goals, and surrendered 28 against. Their lone meeting with UBC during the regular season was a 4-0 loss suffered at Thunderbird Stadium on September 25^th. Nine of their 18 goals scored this season came off the feet of two players: Kuhle Bekwayo (5) and Ahmed Mohammed (4).
 
The Thunderbirds and Huskies are no strangers to one another when it comes to playoff competition. The two sides have met four times (2019, 2013, 2012, and 2010) with UBC prevailing each time. In 17 career (total) meetings with Saskatchewan, the 'Birds have secured 13 wins, three draws and one loss.


 
"I think they've got some very good attacking pieces that we'll have to be aware of," remarked Mike Mosher. "Saskatchewan is well coached and they have some familiarity with us having already played in one game this season at UBC. We have to show up and deliver on the day. We want to execute, and do our job so that we can advance."
 
Tickets for Saturday's quarter-final playoff match between UBC and Saskatchewan can be found here. The game can also be viewed live on Canada West TV.