PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – If the UNBC Timberwolves had any thoughts of a season opening weekend split, those hopes were quickly dashed as the UBC Thunderbirds replicated Friday night's dominant performance in Sunday's rematch with a 5-0 victory to sweep the hosts and start the 2023 season a perfect 2-0.
Sebastian Dzikowski remained on fire, scoring twice for the second straight game while adding another assist.
Connor Mrazek also had a brace Sunday scoring twice within a four minute span in the second half.
"That's a really good start to the season. Six away points and nine goals for with zero against and some really strong performances across the board," said a pleased UBC head coach,
Mike Mosher. "It was nice to see Seby with a strong start to the season getting in spots where goals get scored and also credit to
Connor Mrazek with two highlight goals off the bench on basically his first two touches of the ball. We'll enjoy these wins and then get back to work tomorrow to start the process for next weekend."
The T-Birds (2-0-0) once again started on the front foot with
Asvin Chauhan opening scoring in the 10
th minute, his first of the campaign. The second year forward re-directed the ball off a
Luke Norman pass across the top of the box.
UNBC (0-2-0) had their share of chances in the opening half, outshooting the 'Birds by a 9-7 margin. But just before the break, Dzikowski doubled the visitors' lead with his third of the season, finishing off a give-and-go play with Norman who collected his second of three helpers on the day.
Just as was the case Friday night, the 'Birds held a 2-0 advantage at half-time and quickly added to that lead in the second 45. Dzikowski's fourth goal of the weekend came in the 50
th minute. Timberwolves keeper Daniel Zadravec made an intial stop on Norman but the rebound was left ripe for Dzikowski to pounce on.
The rest of the scoring was left to Mrazek whose first of the season came off a T-Birds throw-in. Norman got a head on the ball over to Mrazek who chipped it over Zadravec's head to ripple the mesh in the 73
rd.
Mrazek's second of the game was a thing of pure beauty. The third year midfielder bent the ball in a high curving arc from the top of the box and placed it perfectly inside the top far corner in a highlight reel goal to properly put the exclamation mark on the 5-0 win.
Bennett McKay completed his second straight clean sheet victory in goal making ten saves as the third year T-Bird was far busier Sunday than the season opener two nights prior.
UBC is now 2-0 to start the season for the first time since 2019 while scoring four-plus goals in back-to-back games for the first time in 5 years.
The 'Birds are back on the road next weekend to face the UBC Okanagan Heat on Friday, September 1 in Kelowna followed by a tilt in Kamloops Saturday against the TRU WolfPack in a rematch of last year's U SPORTS gold medal match.
