VANCOUVER – Ask any team and they'll tell you all they want is to hold control of their own destiny come the end of the season. That's the very scenario facing the UBC Thunderbirds as they host the Trinity Western Spartans Saturday, February 19 at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.
Heading into the final game of the 2021-22 Canada West campaign tied with the Mount Royal Cougars for second in the conference, the mission for UBC is simple: win Saturday night and clinch a first round playoff bye and host a semifinal series for the first time since 1971.
"I think as a coaching staff we're really excited to have a meaningful game at the end of the season here to avoid any kind of complacency or sloppiness in practice," said UBC Head Coach Sven Butenschon whose team is guaranteed to host at least one playoff series for the third time in the last four seasons. "From the players' perspective, that should also definitely get their competitive juices going again."
After starting the season with just one regulation loss through their first 13 games, the T-Birds have dropped four of their last six as 2022 has dealt a number of blows from COVID delays to injuries.
Between an inspired third period comeback that ultimately fell a bit short three weeks ago against Mount Royal and a convincing 7-2 win over the Spartans at home last Friday, the sense is the 'Birds are starting to turn a corner at just the right time and return to their early season prowess.
"Where we find ourselves in the standings is a testament to the good start we had, so you have to give the guys a lot of credit to coming into training camp in September with a business like attitude and the ability to make hay when we could," continued Butenschon who likes to look at the bigger picture rather than a bump or two along the road. "The second half hasn't been easy for us but because we came in in the beginning of the year with a professional attitude it's put us in a really good spot now."
Having won all five previous meetings with TWU this season by a combined 22-3, the T-Birds are gunning for the season series sweep and would certainly enter Saturday night as odds on favourites.
While the Spartans are not playoff bound, the 'Birds can expect to see their crosstown rivals lay it all on the line for what will be their final game of their inaugural season, a team that would love nothing more than to spoil UBC's bid for a quarter-final bye.
"I think they've had great moments against us, they've put together great periods against us. I'm expecting them to put 60 minutes together, put it all together for one final game at the end of their season, and we better be ready."
Regardless of the opponent or the situation, the T-Birds want to be heading into the playoffs with the right mindset, playing the right way. The way that's given them plenty of success this season.
"We got a huge opportunity in front of us at home. We got Saturday night at 7 o'clock, a real neat start for hockey night at UBC. We hope we can get some fans in the stands and put on a great performance."
Puck drop is indeed set for 7:00 p.m. PT Saturday, February 19 at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre for the final contest this regular season.
Tickets are available for free but must be reserved in advance. The game will also be streamed live on Canada West TV.
