UBC’s men’s hockey team split their games this weekend against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre, ending the Huskies’ 11-game winning streak by a score of 3–0 on Friday night before losing 3–2 in a shootout on Saturday afternoon.
Friday night’s game saw the Thunderbirds playing aggressive from the get-go. However, they could not put the puck past the Huskies’ goalie Roddy Ross until the 14th minute of the second period, when forward Scott Atkinson scored after a rush play assisted by team captain Chris Douglas and Jack Wismer.
UBC continued to play mostly in the Huskies’ offensive zone, with that pressure paying off early in the third period during the power play, when forward Sasha Mutala lit up the scoreboard after receiving a pass from Sam Huo.
The Huskies attempted to push back, but the ‘Birds were on a roll, especially UBC’s goaltender Cole Schwebius, who made 17 saves in a shutout. The last goal of the game came from forward Cyle McNabb, who caught a rebound and quickly sent it to the back of the net, while the Huskies’ goalie was still sprawled on the ice.
Saturday’s game saw both teams play more energetically, with the Thunderbirds building a two-goal lead in the second period before the Huskies fought back and beat UBC in a shootout.
In the first period, the ‘Birds had two power plays but were unable to score due to Saskatchewan’s tight defence. The Huskies came close to scoring at the end of the period after the puck bounced off of the goal post, but Schwebius quickly defended the shot.
UBC opened the scoring in the tenth minute of the second period after Douglas laid a hit along the boards to free up the puck, scoring his ninth goal of the season. Five minutes later the Thunderbirds scored again, with forward Josh Williams shooting a rebound into the net, making the score 2–0 for UBC.
Things seemed to be looking good for the T-Birds, until forward Jonny Lambos committed a five-minute major penalty for charging at the end of the second period. On the ensuing power play, Saskatchewan's forward Chantz Petruic scored the team’s first goal of the weekend with two tenths of a second left in the period.
In the third period, Petruic scored again with only three seconds left on the power play, tying the game 2–2. The ‘Birds continued to fight, but ultimately were unable to score again in regulation.
After an intense but scoreless overtime, the match went to a shootout, in which Williams scored for the Thunderbirds, while forward Ty Thorpe and defenceman Jake Lee’s shots were stopped. Saskatchewan's forwards Chase Bertholet and Vince Loschiavo scored, giving the Huskies the win.
Despite the loss, UBC head coach Sven Butenschon was impressed with the play shown this weekend.
“I thought the [defence] played outstanding,” he said. “That is a tough group of forwards to go up against and I thought the [defence] really stepped up and locked it down back there.”
Yet, even with those silver linings, the shootout loss was still a disappointing result for the ‘Birds.
“[There’s] lots to be excited about and lots to be positive about, but [in] hockey no matter when you lose or how you lose, it's bitter."
UBC will attempt to avenge that loss on Friday, February 14 against the University of Calgary Dinos at Father David Bauer Arena.
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