VANCOUVER – In a battle of two of the top women's hockey teams in the country, the UBC Thunderbirds host the Alberta Pandas for their only two meetings this regular season on Friday and Saturday, November 18 and 19 at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.
The T-Birds (9-1-2) enter the weekend on a ten-game point streak, winning six of their last seven to sit just a single point back of the conference leading Mount Royal Cougars.
Meanwhile, the Pandas (9-3-0) head to Vancouver on a six-game win streak having out-scored their opposition by a 22-4 margin over that span and have eyes on getting closer to first place themselves, currently just one point behind the T-Birds.
"It's massive, every game is basically a four point game," said UBC head coach
Graham Thomas re-emphasizing the importance of this critical stretch of the season. "They're obviously a really good team and got even stronger in the offseason, they're really well coached. We're excited for it, we're up for the challenge."
There's good reason for the defending Canada West champion Thunderbirds to be confident heading into arguably their most challenging two-week stretch of the season with Mount Royal waiting in the wings the following weekend. UBC currently boasts the conference's top goal differential (tied with MRU) at +21 while having scored more than any other team, averaging 3.5 goals per game.
All this has been accomplished while dealing with significant injuries, including to veteran forward
Ashley McFadden who has missed the entire season thus far. It's a situation that's tested UBC's depth with terrific results.
"The depth of our team has really shown the last two weeks in particular, but all throughout the first half it's been next player up mentality," added Thomas. "We're finding our way as a team through adversity, the grind of the time of the year, whatever it is. It's been good to see the response. The fact we're where we're at even with the challenges we've had is a testament to the group of players we have here."
Currently ranked third in the U SPORTS Top 10, there's every expectation from the outside to have the T-Birds back at the National Championship come March. And while this UBC team should indeed have high expectations for themselves, they're not about to look too far down the road, especially with a very difficult opponent in the Pandas in town.
"They play fast, they play skilled, their special teams are good so we'll have to make sure we're sharp on special teams and winning those battles. It's going to be a spirited, fast, quick paced game, it should be fun to watch. When our teams get together it's a fun brand of hockey and really showcases women's hockey and how far it's come. I think that's what everyone's expecting to enjoy this weekend, it should be a good, fun battle."
The last time the two rivals met was in last season's Canada West semifinals where the T-Birds despatched the Pandas in two straight en route to the conference title a week later.
Puck drop Friday, November 18 at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre is set for 7:00 p.m. PT with Saturday's rematch starting at 3:00 p.m.
Tickets are available now and both games will be streamed live on
Canada West TV.
