The UBC men’s hockey team dominated the ice against the Trinity Western Spartans continuing their undefeated streak (8–0) and setting a new program record for a winning streak to start the season. The Thunderbirds won 5–2 on Thursday night at the Langley Events Center and 8–2 on Saturday afternoon at home.
On Thursday, both teams played mildly with a scoreless first period. However, in the second period the Spartans were quick to get on the scoreboard with a goal 54 seconds in. The T-Birds evened the score two minutes later, when Josh Williams scored his first goal of the season. The Spartans fought back and slipped the puck past Cole Schwebius to put themselves ahead again. However, it didn’t last long as the Spartans took a slashing penalty and UBC’s Sasha Mutala fired the puck from the point to tie the game 2–2.
The Thunderbirds came out strong in the third when captain Chris Douglas slipped the puck in, giving UBC their first lead of the game. Tian Rask increased the lead, scoring from the slot after receiving a pass from Jake Wright to put the ‘Birds up 4–2. Near the end of the game, Rask shot the puck after the whistle resulting in an unsportsmanlike penalty. But the T-Birds didn’t let this ruin their momentum as Ty Thorpe scored short-handed, solidifying the final score 5–2.
On Saturday, the T-Birds did not hold back with Carson Miller sniping the puck past Spartan goalie Leon Sommer 20 seconds into the first period. Tensions began to rise near the end of the first, and UBC’s Jonny Lambos received a two minute roughing penalty and a ten minute game misconduct penalty.
UBC opened the scoring in the second period when Rask tucked the puck into the net in the sixth minute. But the Spartans scored their first goal making the score 2–1. The T-Birds were quick to redeem themselves with Rask getting his second goal after receiving a pass from Wright. Nearing the end of the period Scott Atkinson tipped the puck in making the score 4–1.
The scoring did not stop in the third. Three minutes in, Douglas tipped the puck in on the powerplay. However, the Spartans scored another goal making the score 5–2. Later, UBC’s Jake Lee and Conner McDonald scored one goal each, both from the slot, making the score 7–2. Tensions rose again and the Spartans received a high sticking penalty. Liam Kindree used it to his advantage, scoring from the point for the second powerplay goal of the game and cementing the final score at 8–2.
Rask, Miller and Wright were a strong line in both games, tallying a total of ten points (four goals, six assists).
“The puck was following Tian [Rask] all night. Carson Miller, he’s always creating havoc for the other team, and then Jake Wright is an unbelievable student of the game … we put them together for a reason and you can see why — they work well together,” said head coach Sven Butenschön.
This weekend, the Thunderbirds will head to Edmonton where they will go head-to-head against the MacEwan University Griffins. Puck drops at 6 p.m. PST on Friday.