SASKATOON, Sask. – The Saskatchewan Huskies scored twice in the final five minutes of the third period to steal a 3-2 game two win over the UBC Thunderbirds Saturday night at Merlis Belsher Place, forcing the Canada West semifinal series to a third and deciding game.

The T-Birds had played one of their stingiest contests all year, limiting the Huskies to just ten shots through two periods while staking out a 2-1 lead early in the third on Jake Wright's third of the playoffs. But the real turning point came with five-and-a-half minutes remaining in the final period when Jonny Lambos was handed a five minute charging major. The Huskies scored twice on the ensuing power play to stun the 'Birds and keep their season alive for at least one more day.

"We played a really good game, that's two back-to-back games, six periods of really solid hockey, didn't give them much. But, you just can't have a mental lapse like that," said UBC head coach, Sven Butenschon, whose squad will play a third and deciding game for a fifth straight series. "That team especially, we've watched them all year and they seem to just kind of hang in there and when they get their looks, they're really good at finding the back of the net. We got to regroup, stay positive. I'm so impressed with the way we're playing right now and proud of the guys, they just need to do it the hard way again."



Eerily similar to the opening frame of game one Friday night, the T-Birds struck first early, this time Jake Lee getting on the board just 5:47 in with his first of the playoffs. A late developing 2-on-1 saw Liam Kindree gain the zone with Lee, sliding the puck over to the defenceman who sniped glove side past Jordan Kooy for his first Canada West playoff goal.

Landon Kosior evened things up in the final minute of the frame with his second of the series, on the power play. Chantz Petruic drove hard to the net and centred to Kosior who had a wide open net.

Wright put the 'Birds back in front 1:26 into the third with his third of the post-season, scoring off the rush.

Despite the one goal lead, the T-Birds really had firm control and seemed poised to close out the series until the pivotal charging call changed everything.



"Everyone's going to be ready to rock tomorrow and I can't wait to see how we bounce back," said Butenschon whose team is well used to adversity come the post-season. "We're built for these moments, we've done it before. We're deep, we're heavy, we're physical, we're strong and we wear teams down by Sunday so nothing changes there, it's the same old game plan."

The T-Birds now face their third elimination game of this post-season having won their six previous dating back to the start of last year's conference championship run. The winner of Sunday's series finale will advance to next week's Canada West Final while also earning a berth at the upcoming University Cup in Ottawa.

Puck drop at Merlis Belsher Place is set for 4:00 p.m. PT Sunday with the game available live on Canada West TV.