VANCOUVER – Looking to extend what's been a dominant start to the 2023-24 Canada West campaign, the UBC Thunderbirds are back on home ice this Friday and Saturday, hosting the Manitoba Bisons at Father David Bauer Arena.
It's been a wildly successfully first four games for the T-Birds, boasting a 4-0 record while averaging more than five goals a game with a differential of +13.
UBC is represented well atop the early season scoring table with reigning Player of the Week
Liam Kindree leading the pack with ten points while his linemates
Sam Huo and
Sasha Mutala are both just one point behind.
But as good a start as it's been, the season is only four games old and there's plenty to go with unknown challenges that lie ahead.
The Bisons (0-2) will certainly be a different looking group compared to the last time they faced the T-Birds last January. Long-time head coach Mike Sirant retired in the off-season with Gord Burnett now behind the bench. On the ice, they're a very young team with nine rookies on their roster. So despite the unknowns, UBC can certainly expect a hard-working group looking to make their mark.
"We got a tough opponent coming in and we're still growing as a group and as a family, and it's just too early to look long term, but definitely you got to make hay while you can," said UBC head coach
Sven Butenschon of the need to continue their strong start and not fall behind in a very competitive conference. "(Manitoba) lost both their games to Saskatchewan, had a bye week in between so they're preparing and they'll be very ready for Friday night. They're probably still in a bit of an evaluation process so their guys are probably looking to make an impression and always looking to make a difference out there."
The Bisons opened the season with a pair of home-ice losses to the Huskies and head to Vancouver rested having enjoyed the Thanksgiving weekend bye. While the sample size is small, Manitoba was hugely successful on the power play in week one, converting three times on eight chances.
When it comes to the Thunderbirds and special teams, however, it's been nothing short of exceptional. With a power play clicking at over 30 percent and a penalty kill that's allowed just one goal against in 22 opportunities, it's a recipe for success provided those numbers stay even remotely close to what they currently are.
"The PK was definitely an area we needed to do better at so, so far, so good. The power play the last couple years has been very solid and it's a testament to the skill level in the group. There are lots of guys who could be on the power play who aren't.
Carson Miller is a fantastic power play guy and he can't even get on there right now. But we're still trying to get better in all facets."
Faced with the opportunity to begin the season 6-0 for the second time in the last three seasons, the T-Birds know the road will only continue to get harder, starting with this weekend. But with the possibility of getting some key bodies back up front to add to what's already been an explosive offensive punch, there's plenty of reason for optimism.
"Depth up front is something that we worked hard on building here. It's a tough league, it's a heavy league, there are always injuries. When you look at other teams who have had success in our league, depth is a big part of it. Guys have been a little bit banged up and we haven't had a full roster, not even close really. It's a marathon, that's just the way it goes. I'm excited as a coach to see what we look like when we get healthy."
Puck drop against the Bisons Friday night is set for 7:00 at Father David Bauer Arena. Saturday's rematch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m..
Tickets are available online now and both games will be streamed live on
Canada West TV.
