VANCOUVER – The last time the UBC Thunderbirds hit the ice at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre for a meaningful game they celebrated their fourth Canada West Championship in program history.
Friday night will mark the turning of a page to defending that title as the T-Birds hoist the 2021-22 banner to the rafters before hosting the Manitoba Bisons for their home opener.
"Being able to be tough to play against here, to defend our territory, we've always played well in this arena and that's a huge piece we want to re-inspire and re-establish Friday night onward," said UBC Head Coach
Graham Thomas, now into his 11
th season with the 'Birds. "Now the work needs to be put in, we can't just assume we're going to be back there, we can't just say because we had a good year last year, because we have a strong roster we're going to be there. Now we have to earn it."
Getting back there – to the U SPORTS National Championship – means returning for another shot at glory. The T-Birds' 2021-22 season ended with a fifth place finish at the national tournament following a quarter-final loss to the Nipissing Lakers.
Returning the bulk of last season's conference championship roster, the 'Birds have also boosted their lineup with promising true freshmen along with veteran talent with an aim to be in Montreal in March for another crack at that elusive title.
But long before there are many thoughts about even the Canada West playoffs, the T-Birds have a long season ahead of them which has already started with a 1-1 split last weekend in Calgary.
"It was a good test last weekend," said Thomas who sees the Dinos as a potential threat to contend. "Obviously we wanted to take them both but it didn't go our way on Saturday. To be on the road back-to-back weekends and to get the split was good, and now we get back on our ice and back home and settled and look forward to the home opener."
While Friday night marks the home opener for the T-Birds, the game also serves as the season opener for the Bisons who started with a bye week. Last season Manitoba finished fourth in the regular season standings, just two points back of the T-Birds, but the playoffs dealt the Bisons a quick two-game exit after a quarter-final sweep by the Saskatchewan Huskies.
Due to the shortened nature of the 2021-22 regular season, UBC and Manitoba met only twice, with each team picking up a win. Dating back to the 2018-19 season, the T-Birds and Bisons have each picked up four wins in their last eight matchups, continuing what's been a long standing rivalry.
Despite the 1-1 start to the season, Thomas feels his veteran group is in a good spot, albeit still with plenty of room for growth.
"Where we're starting this year compared to last year we're ahead, so that's a good thing, but we just have to continue to progress as a team. We had a little adversity losing a game last weekend. Now, how do we respond? These are all good development and growth things."
Puck drop for Friday's home opener at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre is 7:00 p.m. PT with Saturday's rematch set for 2:00 p.m. PT.
Tickets for both games are available and both will be streamed live on
Canada West TV.
