The final home-and-home series against the Trinity Western Spartans (3-17-2) this Thursday and Friday, January 22 and 23 stands as undoubtedly the most critical for the UBC Thunderbirds (17-2-3) as the No. 1 ranked team in the country continues their march toward securing first place in the Canada West.
Beginning the series Thursday night in Langley and concluding with their final regular season meeting at Friday's Winter Classic, the crosstown rivals may find themselves at opposite ends of the conference standings, but their head-to-head meetings have provided plenty of closely fought battles and fireworks, despite UBC holding the clear edge in results having now won 33 consecutive games against the Spartans.
"We respect our opponents always, we respect how that program has taken steps in the last year and a half," said UBC head coach,
Sven Butenschon, referring to TWU's improved play which far exceeds what their record shows. "We've seen what they're capable of, they've pushed us really hard. Of course as a coach that's what you want, you don't want to get soft in crucial moments of the season so we got to stay focussed, stay locked in. We got a lot of expectations moving forward and we can't lose our focus and our vision of that."
After bouncing back with a pair of convincing wins last weekend over the Dinos, the T-Birds are now just one victory away from clinching top seed in the west division which would earn the team a bye through to the Canada West semifinals. They're also clearly in the driver's seat to secure first overall and home ice throughout the playoffs, currently three points ahead of Calgary.
With just six games remaining in the regular season, it all makes for higher stakes with each remaining game, something that should serve the squad well in preparation for the post-season.
"It's a bit of a sprint to the finish line," Butenschon continued. "There's definitely more of a sense of urgency which makes it feel more like playoffs. Around the league all the other teams feel the same way so now you got two teams that have a lot to play for and it's really intense here."
Friday night's back half of the home-and-home not only features the annual Winter Classic but an opportunity for the T-Birds to honour an incredibly impactful graduating class of seniors in captain
Chris Douglas, fellow forwards
Scott Atkinson,
Liam Kindree,
Sasha Mutala and
Cyle McNabb as well as defencemen
Matthew Smith,
Jonny Lambos and
Jake Lee.
"The number of impact, high-character, just incredible human beings that will be moving on after this year, it's quite something. You got to remember when I initiated these conversations and relationships with these guys it was during a pandemic where the world was shutdown and they're sitting at home, they're not sure what the future holds. A lot of them probably would have got good pro opportunities and may never have come here so there's a strong bond with me and those guys and the program for sure."
Puck drop Thursday at the Langley Events Centre is set for 7:00 p.m.
Friday's Winter Classic – the biggest indoor festival on campus all year – goes down at 7:30 p.m., a game not to be missed for both the on-ice entertainment – one of the last chances to see the top-ranked T-Birds this season – as well as the incredible vibe and party-like atmosphere throughout the building.
"It's electric in there. It's a really high decibel level throughout the entire game, not just when certain things happen. When I played in Germany it was like a soccer crowd where they're constantly cheering and having fun and that's kind of what it's like here for the Winter Classic. I don't think we've had it sold out for a few years so we're really hoping to maximize the experience for everybody and get the building full."
Tickets for Winter Classic 2026 are still available
HERE!
Â
