VANCOUVER – This weekend at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbirds Sports Centre, the UBC Thunderbirds (6-1-1) take to the ice in search of their seventh consecutive victory when they host the Calgary Dinos (3-4-1) beginning tomorrow night at 6:00 pm.
 
It's been a road-heavy schedule to this point of the campaign for the defending Canada West champs, but now Graham Thomas' crew can unpack their bags and prepare themselves for a stretch of six consecutive games within the Lower Mainland – five of which are at home.
 
"I don't know if we've ever had this much travel so early on in a season so far, but it's been good. We've been able to find success on the road and bond together as a group," said Graham Thomas. "


 
The latest road triumph came Saturday in Edmonton with a 4-1 victory over the MacEwan Griffins. Despite trailing 1-0 after the first period, the blue and gold rattled off four unanswered goals – Two of which game from Sophia Gaskell. Joelle Fiala added two assists.
 
Defensively, the 'Birds are tied with Saskatchewan for the fewest goals surrendered (13) and sit second in Canada West with 30 goals scored so far. Much of the 'Birds early this season can be attributed to their depth. Offensively this is as deep a team as Graham Thomas can recall, and every time his club takes to the ice, it can be any number of players contributing in that aspect.
 
"We're really excited about our offensive depth," claimed Thomas. "It takes the pressure off any one line and it makes us tougher to defend against."
 
Heading into this weekend against Calgary, rookie Cassidy Rhodes and veteran Ireland Perrott sit tied for the team lead in goals (6) while Chanreet Bassi (3G, 6A) and Hannah Koroll (1G, 8A) have both managed nine points through eight games so far. All told there are eight different UBC skaters that have struck for two-or-more goals.


 
So far this season, UBC is 1-1 against Calgary, and now find themselves in somewhat of an odd scheduling situation, set to face them for a third and fourth time in the span of 10 games.
 
"The intensity will be high for sure," concluded Graham Thomas. "Calgary has had a tough schedule so far, but they're coming off a bye week so they'll be fired up and ready to go. It's a pivotal weekend and a classic Canada West rivalry. We want to create separation and keep building on our process and our success."
 
The first game of the Friday-Saturday weekend double-header begins tomorrow at 7:00 pm, followed by a Saturday rematch at 3:00 pm. Tickets for all matches this weekend can found here. All games can also be viewed live on Canada West TV.