Two of the top teams in Canada West are ready to square off in a rare home-and-home series that could potentially decide who earns the #1 seed in the Pacific Division.
The UBC Thunderbirds are the only undefeated team remaining in Canada West, and are currently ranked #2 in U SPORTS. The Victoria Vikes have only lost once this season and are ranked #10 in the country.
This week is just the second (and final) time this season that the Thunderbirds play the same team twice in a row, following last weekend when they faced UNBC on back-to-back nights at home. UVic hosts the first game on Thursday, October 10th, before the two teams head back over the water to play at Thunderbird Stadium on Saturday, October 12th.
T-Birds head coach
Mike Mosher says the familiarity you get from playing the same side twice in quick succession can have its positives.
"One of the benefits is you don't have quite as much preparation and video to look at as when you play two separate opponents," said Mosher. "You get your scouting report prepared and then can be prepared to tweak it from one game to the next as needed."
High on UBC's scouting report will be Matthew Pearse, the Vikes' second-year midfielder who leads their team with six goals, four more than anyone else. UVic's defence has also been stellar this year: they're the only Canada West team to have conceded fewer times than the 'Birds, with just three goals allowed in 11 games.
Despite that formidable track record, the Thunderbirds are as equipped as any team to break them down. Boasting the second-best goals per game mark in the conference (2.2), the T-Birds have found the back of the net in each and every game this season. The attack is led by
Henri Godbout, who is tied for fifth in Canada West in points with six goals and three assists.
The T-Birds have found contributions across the lineup in recent games. Over the last two weeks of play, UBC has notched seven goals from six different players. That includes rookie midfielder
Patrick Braun, who scored off the bench in his first career appearance for the T-Birds' in their 3-0 win over UNBC this past Saturday.
The defence has also found its rhythm in recent weeks, as the Thunderbirds have not conceded a goal since September 14th, nearly a full month ago. The shutout streak stands at over 510 minutes heading into Thursday's clash, the longest UBC has gone without allowing a goal since 2016.
In addition to being a rivalry series, these matchups against the Vikes present a very valuable opportunity for the T-Birds. If they come on top over the two games (whether with two wins or a win and a tie), they will clinch the #1 seed in the Pacific Division.
"The first goal we have each year is to win our division," added Mosher. "It means you get at least the first two games of playoffs at home and that is a good advantage to have."
The Thunderbirds will try and do just that, first on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. (PT) in Victoria, before returning to Thunderbird Stadium for a rematch at 4:00 p.m. (PT) on Saturday.
