The UBC men's hockey team defeated the University of Alberta Golden Bears in their home opening weekend games, winning 5–1 and 4–2.
The Friday night match was the first between the two teams since the Golden Bears knocked the ‘Birds out of the playoffs last year.
The 'Birds hit the ice with confidence, and second-year defenceman Jake Lee scored a point within less than five minutes of the first period to set the precedent.
This momentum was kept throughout the game and was best seen in the second period.
During a T-Birds powerplay, the team kept the puck in the Bears’ half. Despite a few missed opportunities, the ‘Birds persisted. The Bears were piling in front of their goal in a heap of yellow and green and it became difficult to see where the puck had gone. Only when the blue and white began to cheer was it clear that they had scored.
The Bears took advantage of their own powerplay, cutting the T-Birds’ lead in half. But, the Thunderbirds came back stronger, with Sasha Mutala and Tian Rask putting another two points on the board within a minute of each other while two Bears players sat in the penalty box to make their lead 4–1.
Conner McDonald cemented the ‘Birds 5–1 win halfway through the third period with a tip shot that went bar down.
"I thought we had a great start. We had so much energy tonight, and we used our energy in really productive ways … I thought it was great to see contribution from everybody from the top of the lineup all the way down," said T-Birds head coach Sven Butenschön.
Between the weekend games, Butenschön said, "I think it's going to be a lot of mental tomorrow. If we come out with the same attitude and spirit, we should have a really good chance."
And the 'Birds delivered by winning 4–2. Although Alberta scored the first goal, the Thunderbirds bounced back with rookie Ben Kotylak tying the score in the first period. The ‘Birds would score two more, with Jonathan Smart scoring an empty netter. The Bears got one more on the board after Rask’s five minute major penalty for slashing, but it wasn’t enough to beat the T-Birds.
The 'Birds will travel to play their next game against the University of Regina Cougars on October 6 at 6 p.m.