VANCOUVER – The U SPORTS No.3-ranked UBC Thunderbirds (11-0-1-2) are back in Vancouver to host the Calgary Dinos (3-10-1-0) in their final home games of 2023. Both halves of the back-to-back series are set to be played at Father David Bauer Arena, with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 p.m. (PT) on Friday and 3:00 p.m. (PT) on Saturday.

The T-Birds still have yet to lose a game in regulation this year, putting them atop the Canada West standings, three points clear of defending national champion Mount Royal. The T-Birds have faced some genuine adversity of late however, going to the shootout in each of their last three games and winning only one of them.



"I like how we're getting challenged," commented UBC head coach Graham Thomas. "Some close games these last two weeks. It's exposed some things. It's opened our eyes a little bit to some things. What's missing, what we need to keep building on, what we need to keep working on. Regardless of results, it's been a productive couple of weeks."

"I think that going through a little more adversity, a little more turmoil, a little more uncertainty, I think that's going to be good for us in the long run, I think that's going to pay dividends in the new year."

UBC had won every game it played since September by at least three goals, prior to the recent shootouts.



"Last year, we had such a dominant year, but we didn't have one overtime or shootout," reflected Thomas. "Now we've just come off of three shootouts in a row! I think it's good that we're being put in positions where there's more pressure. It's going to make us stronger in the end."

Despite being tested of late, the stats underscore just how explosive this T-Birds team has been overall this season. They are first in Canada West in goals for by a wide margin, first in goal differential by a wide margin, and Mackenzie Kordic is leading the conference in goals, assists and points. The numbers speak to a team that has the ability to overpower almost any opponent, if at its best.

"Our focus has been a little bit more on us this week," said Thomas. "We need to tidy up some of our habits and details that haven't been quite as sharp or crisp lately. This week it's been about getting back to things that work for us, getting back to basics. Making sure we have a solid, consistent weekend is our focus right now."



The Dinos come to town for their only regular season matchups with the 'Birds this season after dropping three straight games. However, just before the recent skid, they won a game in regulation against the Saskatchewan Huskies, who just split a pair of shootouts with the T-Birds last weekend.

"Calgary is a team we haven't seen in a while," mused coach Thomas. "They have a new coach, some high end talent, including (Courtney) Kollman going there from Mount Royal, coming in with a national championship and taking over as their leading scorer. Elizabeth Lang has always been a top player. (Sydney) Mercier's good, they've got some good players, so it's going to be important for us to play them hard and try to shut their stars down."

Tickets to both games this weekend are still available. Stream all regular season T-Birds hockey, live or on demand, on Canada West TV.