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

Videos

Post-game interview with UBC Thunderbirds' Milan Dragicevic

see larger video

uploaded by jtsg

Photos

UBC Thunderbirds' Curtis Billsten in action against Alberta Golden Bears

see larger image

uploaded by jtsg

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.