VANCOUVER – As the most exciting time of the year – playoffs – draw ever nearer, the UBC Thunderbirds are getting ready for the most exciting game of the year, this Friday, January 19 when they host the Trinity Western Spartans for Winter Classic 2024.
Riding a seven game win streak and closing in on securing a first round bye, the T-Birds (18-1-3) are prepared for another gritty home-and-home series with their cross-town rivals which concludes Saturday afternoon at the Langley Events Centre.
"We always play close games with them, there have been fun and exciting games, they're a team that's not hard to get up for, that's for sure," said UBC head coach
Graham Thomas whose team is excited to participate in their second Winter Classic doubleheader after last year's inaugural such event. "It's a lot of fun, it's a great time of year, it's a great event. It's nice to have something a little bit different, something to look forward to. Our team is fired up, the players and coaches and staff, it's always a fun event."
Aside from the excitement and festivities of the Winter Classic, the points up for grabs by both teams are nothing short of monumental. The T-Birds currently hold a one point lead over Alberta for first in the conference, seven points ahead of third place Mount Royal. A pair of wins for UBC would go a long way to helping lock in a top two spot and a coveted first round bye.
"It's something we talk about, we know it's there," said Thomas of the drive to finish atop the conference. "It's motivation and important but at the same time, regardless of what happens, it's more important that we keep coming together as a group, keep playing well as a team and keep playing our way and keep focussing on our game. That's definitely the top priority this time of the year."
As for the Spartans, they're in a heated battle with Manitoba and Regina for the sixth and final Canada West playoff berth. TWU (6-13-1) enters this weekend tied with the Bisons and just one point up on the Cougars with eight regular season games remaining.
While UBC earned 7-2 and 4-1 wins, respectively, over the Spartans in their last home-and-home series back in October, neither came easy as both hung in the balance until well into the third period when the high flying T-Birds managed to take over.
Last weekend's sweep over the Griffins by way of a 10-2 combined differential saw the 'Birds score more than eight goals in a series for the first time since late October. While the team's early-season rate was likely unsustainable in the long run, Thomas is encouraged to see an uptick in their goals-per-game.
"We're building and we keep building on our offence zone concepts and I think from that perspective we're doing the right things. Goals are harder and harder to come by this time of year but if we can keep working on doing the right things the right way, the chances will hopefully lead to executing some goals so we want to keep building those chances."
Puck drop for the Winter Classic on Friday is set for 4:00 p.m. PT at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.
Tickets are still available online now.
