VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds fended off a valiant comeback attempt by the MacEwan Griffins to earn a 4-3 game three win in the Canada West quarter-final series Sunday night to advance to next weekend's semifinal against the Huskies in Saskatoon.
The T-Birds staked out a 4-0 lead through 20 minutes in what was a dream opening period for UBC that saw the T-Birds dominate in all aspects.
The Griffins got on the board in the second with a Liam Ryan shorthanded goal which gave the visitors some belief – belief they built on in the third to come within one with more than three minutes remaining. But the defending Canada West champions managed to hold strong to earn a sixth consecutive conference elimination game and a third straight series overall.
"It was like two different games," said UBC head coach,
Sven Butenschon of the rollercoaster game three. "The first period we came out and probably played the sharpest period we've had all year. Pressure situation, the guys prepared the right way, we started the game the right way and the execution was just on point. (MacEwan's) a resilient group, they've done it all year and they did it right to the buzzer. They did not make it easy on us, it was really uncomfortable. But I think for us coaches, we're looking at that as great prep for going into next week."
"We made the playoffs last year, didn't win a game, didn't compete very well, so this year our goal was just become a competitive program and I think that these guys should be proud of what they've built," said MacEwan head coach, Zack Dailey. "I think we've showed a lot of teams this year that when we're at our best we're hard to beat. That third period sums up the guys I have, there's no giving up."
The first period was indeed as good a frame as UBC has played all year.
Josh Williams got the ball rolling with his first of the playoffs just 4:27 in, converting on an end-to-end rush, one of his prettiest goals in his three years as a Thunderbird.
Just over two minutes later,
Tian Rask took advantage of a defensive zone turnover by the Griffins, sniping blocker side past Brett Epp.
Sam Huo scored his first of the playoffs at 8:53, just 10 seconds into UBC's first power play of the night to get the 'Birds out to a commanding 3-0 advantage.
Jake Wright added to the barrage at 13:01 when he scored his second of the series from the low slot off a
Ty Thorpe feed from below the goal line to give the defending champions four goals on 20 shots through the opening period.
The Griffins managed to slowly gain some momentum in the second, kick started by Liam Ryan's shorthanded marker at 7:13, sent in on a breakaway by Brendan Boyle.
UBC had numerous chances to break open a much larger lead with five consecutive power plays. But after Huo's first period tally, the 'Birds were shutout on special teams the rest of the way as the Griffins penalty kill was exceptional.
Ryan scored his second of the game 5:32 into the third to cut the T-Birds' lead to two. UBC continued to defend well and limited the Griffins' chances in the offensive zone, but a late power play got MacEwan within one when Marc Pasemko snuck the puck under
Cole Schwebius' pad.
With all the momentum on their side, the Griffins continued to press with the extra attacker, but the 'Birds defended their zone, keeping the visitors to the outside as much as possible while clearing the puck with regularity to hold onto the lead to the final buzzer.
"Mental toughness, mental focus. Staying in the moment," Butenschon said of what allowed his squad to fend off the Griffins late charge. "Belief, being positive, good vibes. And no panic, or not as much panic. I thought we did panic a bit late, I don't know why, we've been in these moments so we should have ice in our veins and execute. It's fun, it's a great time of year to play and come to the rink and we just want to keep it going."
The win advanced UBC to next weekend's Canada West semifinal where the T-Birds will face the host Saskatchewan Huskies in a best-of-three series starting Friday night in Saskatoon with a berth in the Canada West Final and upcoming University Cup also on the line.
"It's a little bit of regeneration, rest, good nutrition, good hydration," said Butenschon of the plan for the next 72 hours. "Get some of your schoolwork done because we're going to be on the road again here for a bunch of days and then we're going to be ready by Friday. I know this group and I know the leaders in that room will make sure that we're going to be doing whatever we can this week to prepare properly."
