Box Score Vancouver, BC - The UBC Thunderbirds earned the weekend sweep of the Lethbridge Pronghorns winning 3-2 Saturday night at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre. With the victory, UBC improves to 4-1-1 on the season. The Thunderbirds outscored the Pronghorns 8-3 in the two game series.

"It wasn't our prettiest win, but it was great that we were able to hold on to the lead in the third period," said the night's first star Wyatt Hamilton. "They are not all going to be 5-1 games, but we achieved our goal, picked up the full four points on the weekend, so we can't complain."

For the complete box score: http://www.leaguestat.com/canadawest/mens/en/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1190

Looking for a quick start, the 'Birds came out flying early testing Pronghorns goaltender Damien Ketlo with four shots in the first two shifts. Dillon Wagner (Keephills, AB) would get UBC on the board; fresh off serving a two minute minor he jumped out of the box and started a 3-on-2 which ended with Wagner tipping home Justin McCrae's (Cochrane, AB) shot to give the Thunderbirds a 1-0 lead. For Wagner it was his first career Canada West goal. UBC added to their lead 1:14 later as Wyatt Hamilton (Cochrane, AB) banged in his own rebound for his second goal of the season, giving the Thunderbirds a 2-0 advantage. Jordan White (Surrey, BC) got the start for a second straight night and only faced four shots in the opening frame. Unfortunately a bad bounce got by him as Hayden Rintoul's point shot went off a UBC player in front and past White to cut the lead to 2-1 through 20 minutes of play.

UBC didn't waste anytime adding to their lead in the second period. McCrae scored his third goal of the weekend series to make it a two goal lead for the 'Birds. The Pronghorns couldn't generate any offense so they tried to set the physical tone, but UBC wisely avoided any altercations staying out of the penalty box. Ben Schmidt (Campbell River, BC) had a chance late on the power play, but rang it off the post just as the horn sounded. Lethbridge managed just five shots on White in the period.

Damien Ketlo kept the Pronghorns make a number of key saves in the early part of the third period as the Thunderbirds were unable to capitalize on a pair of power plays. Just as Tyler Hlookoff's penalty expired he hopped out of the box and took a perfect stretch pass from Chase Schaber and made no mistake on the breakaway, beating White low to the stick side to get the visitors within one goal. Lethbridge had chances late, outshooting UBC 13-11 in the frame, but White shut the door to preserve the victory. The Thunderbirds now sit alone in second place in the Canada West with nine points

Wyatt Hamilton finished the night with a goal and an assist. The fourth year forward is playing on a line with Nate Fleming (St. Albert, AB) and Justin McCrae. They are supposed to be the top shutdown line, but they are chipping in offensively as well.

"The best defence is offense and if we have the puck and are playing in their end, they can't score," said Hamilton. "Our identity is just outworking them. Nate and Justin are both fast and it's been going well so far, so hopefully we can keep it rolling."

White made 20 saves for his third victory of the year as UBC is off to outstanding start to the season.

"On and off the ice we are a very tight knit group," said Hamilton. "We are on the same page early with everybody buying into the system. With our new recruits and much improved depth, we can roll four lines and hammer teams down low with our cycle which so far has been working"

Damien Ketlo stopped 32 of the 35 shots he faced in the Lethbridge net.

The ‘Horns return home and host the Alberta Golden Bears next weekend, Puck drops both Friday and Saturday night at 7:00pm