REGINA, Sask. – Facing a two goal deficit well into the third period, the UBC Thunderbirds dug deep and found a pair of late tallies against the host Cougars, winning in a shootout to cap off a weekend sweep in Regina.

Sam Huo scored with just under five minutes remaining in the third to get the 'Birds within a goal before Liam Kindree tied the game 4-4 with the extra attacker. Kindree then went on to score the only goal of the shootout as the T-Birds extend their season-long win streak to four games.

"Today I thought we still worked hard but the pucks weren't cooperating, we had a lot of chances, we just couldn't get the shot away that we needed to," said UBC head coach Sven Butenschon comparing Saturday's contest to Friday night's 8-1 victory. "They blocked a lot of shots and their goalie played outstanding. It was just kind of a mental test to stick to the game plan and be positive and keep the belief going."



Griffin Asham-Moroz and Paycen Bjorklund scored less than three minutes apart to give the Cougars a 2-0 lead before the eight minute mark of the opening period in what was a completely different start compared to the series opener less than 24 hours earlier.

Despite putting up 16 shots on goal in the first 20 minutes, it took until the 18:36 mark for UBC to get on the board when Kindree was credited with his first of the season, on a two-man advantage. A Sasha Mutala one-timer whistled wide of the net, bouncing off the end boards and out the other side where Kindree backhanded the puck out in front, banking it off Regina goaltender Curtis Meger and in.

While it looked as if the T-Birds may be starting to get some things to go their way heading into the second, the Cougars struck with another quick pair from Eric Houk and Randen Schmidt to give the hosts a 4-1 advantage eight minutes into the period.

A tremendous solo effort on the penalty kill late in the second by Chris Douglas saw the UBC captain strip the puck off of Schmidt, skate in all alone and snipe past Meger's blocker to cut the deficit to two.



The Thunderbirds absolutely dominated the final period, desperate to claw out of the hole but Meger wasn't making it easy.

UBC finally got rewarded for their relentless pressure when Huo scored his fourth goal of the weekend and fifth of the season with just under five minutes remaining. Kindree's shot from the left circle squeaked through Meger who got enough of the puck to prevent it from crossing the line but Huo was quick onto it and had an easy tap in to get the 'Birds within one.

With Schwebius on the bench for the extra attacker, Kindree tied the game with 90 seconds remaining, his second of the game on a wrister through traffic.



The T-Birds proceeded to own overtime, putting five shots on Meger who finished the game with a remarkable 53 saves.

After Schwebius stopped Regina's first shooter, Jackson Doucet, Kindree followed up with the only successful attempt, completing a terrific game for the third year Thunderbird with two goals, an assist, and the shootout winner.

"That whole line – Huo, Mutala and Kindree, I thought Kindree was outstanding tonight, got himself on the scoresheet with a couple goals and then the shootout winner," said Butenschon of another solid offensive performance while also crediting his netminder with some key stops in crunch time. "When the game was on the line, in the shootout, he looked dialled in and focussed and didn't give them much."

Now 4-0 for the second time in the last three seasons, the T-Birds are back home next Friday and Saturday to host the Manitoba Bisons. Puck drop for game one of the weekend series is set for 7:00 p.m. PT at Father Bauer Arena. Tickets are available online now.