ABBOTSFORD – For the first time this season, the Thunderbirds failed to win a game. The UFV Cascades did not let the 'Birds pass, as the two Lower Mainland squads fought to a scoreless draw.

In this rematch of the opening game of conference play, the T-Birds did a good job of limiting chances for the Cascades. They held the home team to just three total shot attempts with only one of them on target.

The centre-back duo of Eric Lajeunesse and Marcus Puhalj continued their ironman streaks of playing every minute so far this season, forming the backbone of that impressive UBC defensive line. Jack Garner made his return to the UBC goal, and made his lone save on a powerful shot from a tight angle by UFV midfielder Kevin Mailand in the 74th minute.

The Thunderbirds had their best chance much earlier in the game, when Henri Godbout was played into the penalty box by Markus Kaiser with less than 10 minutes played. The second-year forward cut the ball across the six-yard box, just squeaking by goalkeeper Matheus De Souza and finding its way to Luke Norman.

Caught somewhat with the ball stuck between his feet, Norman tried to poke it into the goal but was denied by UFV defender Ebi Igali, who sprawled to the ground to block the shot attempt and cleared the ball away in a desperation play.

Norman was denied again by De Souza later in the first half, with the goalie making a great dive to palm the UBC midfielder's shot over the bar.

That was as good as the opportunities got for the T-Birds, as neither team could create any grade-A chances in the second half of action. The result means that the 'Birds remain the only undefeated team in Canada West, but they have the UVic Vikes breathing down their necks at just two points back in the standings (albeit having played one more game than UBC).

The T-Birds and Vikes will now face off next week, as the top two teams in the conference do battle for the first time this season in a home-and-home series. First, UBC hosts their rivals at Thunderbird Stadium at 5:30 p.m. (PT) on Thursday, October 9th. Then, they travel to the island for the rematch on Saturday, October 11th.