UBC Thunderbirds upset Alberta Golden Bears in CIS varsity men's ice hockey

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Post-game interview with UBC Thunderbirds' Milan Dragicevic

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UBC Thunderbirds' Curtis Billsten in action against Alberta Golden Bears

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Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (2007/10/6) — The University of British Columbia (UBC) Thunderbirds sweep their season-opening home stand beating the reigning division champion University of Alberta Golden Bears 4-3 and 6-2 at the Thunderbird Winter Sports Centre in Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) men's varsity ice hockey.

In their 6-2 win on Saturday night, UBC broke open a tightly contested game scoring twice in 11 seconds against Alberta late in the second period on goals by rookie right winger Curtis Billsten and fourth-year centre Jordan Beirnes.

The Thunderbirds carried a 3-1 lead into the third period before adding another two goals by Beirnes and fourth-year centre Lance Morrison, respectively.

Golden Bears' third-year centre Dylan Stanley responded to round out the scoring.

UBC's second-year goaltender Francois Thuot made 31 saves on 33 shots for the victory.

Alberta's Blake third-year backup (G) Blake Grenier stopped 16 shots before he was replaced in the second period having surrendered four unanswered goals.

On Friday night, the Thunderbirds won their home-opener 4-3 at 1:09 in overtime when third-year centre Darrell May deflected a point shot from second-year defenceman Scott Lynch past Golden Bears' third-year goaltender Aaron Sorochan.

It was May's second goal of the game with his first equalizing the score 3-3 midway in the third period.

Thunderbirds' third-year goaltender Gerry Festa allowed three goals on 33 shots while Sorochan made 29 saves in the losing effort for Alberta.

Not since the 1982-1983 season has UBC swept both games of a weekend series against Alberta.

The Golden Bears will play for their first win of the season when they take on provincial rival University of Calgary Dinos for a home-and-home series on Oct. 12th and 13th.

On those dates, the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns will host the Thunderbirds.