CALGARY – The host Mount Royal Cougars opened up a three goal lead in the opening period and never looked back, handing the UBC Thunderbirds a 6-2 defeat to open up the blue and gold's final road series of the regular season Friday night.
Chris Douglas scored his team-leading tenth of the season late in the first to get the 'Birds (12-4-1) on the board while Liam Kindree got his first Canada West goal late in the third as UBC was unable to dig out of the early deficit, suffering just their third regulation loss away from home all season.
Scoring the first two goals of the game, MRU's Nolan Yaremko completed the hat trick on the power play 6:21 into the second period which opened up a 5-1 lead for the home side. Jared Power tacked on his second of the season with five minutes remaining in the final period for good measure, with Kindree's marker coming with just 3:16 on the clock, too late for any feasible UBC comeback attempt.
Robbie Holmes and Ethan Regnier also tallied for the Cougars (11-5-1) who outshot the 'Birds 49-25, including an 18-7 margin in the first period.
UBC starter Rylan Toth allowed the first three goals against before being replaced by Ethan Anders who made an impressive 35 saves in relief.
Douglas' goal came on a rebound off a Scott Atkinson blast that clanked off the posted and right into the slot. It gave the 'Birds some much needed life going into the break down by a pair.
But Regnier and Yaremko's hat trick tally were the only goals of the middle frame as UBC failed to score on two power play chances in the period, finishing the night 0-for-5.
Kindree's first as a Thunderbird came on an odd man rush as the rookie beat MRU goaltender Riley Morris on his glove side.
Having now dropped three of their last four games, the T-Birds will quickly turn their focus to Saturday's rematch and the opportunity to pull closer to securing a home playoff berth. UBC enters their final road game of the regular season just two points behind first place Alberta and two points ahead of both Mount Royal and Calgary.
Puck drop at Flames Community Arenas is set for 5:00 p.m. PT.
