Box Score

Lethbridge – Facing off against the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns, the UBC Thunderbirds posted a show-stopping seven unanswered goals on route to a 7-1 victory, Friday night, in the first of a two game series.

Jason Yee, Jessi Hilton, Dillon Wagne, Cole Wilson earned individual markers for the T-Birds while Brad Hoban earned a hat-trick and an assist for a four point night.

Brent Henke scored the lone goal for the Pronghorns.

The T-Birds peppered the ‘Horns goal all night and Damien Ketlo, who stood tall early to keep the ‘Horns close through two periods of play, got the start, facing 49 shots before being relieved in the third period by Daniel Wenham, who stopped 6 of 9. Starting in net for the T-Birds was Steven Stanford, who stopped 14 of 15 shots.

The Pronghorns opened the scoring at 3:32. Making the most of an early power play, Henke’s hard shot, from Hayden Rintoul, deflected off the post and in.

The T-Birds answered back before the first frame drew to a close. Making the most of a great outlet pass from Hoban, Yee stepped into a hard slap shot that soared through traffic, beating a screened Ketlo high blocker side.

Hoban would add a marker of his own at 17:54. In position beside the net, he corralled the quick pass from the slot and found the back of the net.

Eager to restore balance to the score sheet, the Horns started the second on a power play but would be unable to establish any forward momentum as the T-Birds aggressive defense managed to contain and dismantle multiple offensive attempts by the home team.

Looking to widen their lead, UBC’s relentless first and second lines continued to put pressure on the Lethbridge net-minder, who faced a staggering 21 shots in each of the first two periods.

UBC’s third goal came from Hilton, at 8:51. Flying into the Horns’ end on a breakout 2-on-1 opportunity, he opted not to pass and, instead, unloaded a rocket from the top of the circle that soared past Ketlo’s blocker side shoulder.

Hoban added his second of the night at 8:35 in the third period. Leading the rush on an aggressive UBC power play, he broke in through the slot and his quick hands skilfully out-deked the Lethbridge defence before lifting the puck past Ketlo.

And they weren’t done yet. Adding a fifth goal near the midway point of the period, again with the man advantage, Wagner’s first effort was denied by Wenham but it left the Lethbridge keeper out of position and unable to stop the quick follow-up effort.

The T-Birds added two more goals late in the third including Hoban’s hat-trick goal and a last minute shorthanded effort by Wilson.

Game two of the weekend series goes tomorrow night at Nicholas Sheran Arena. The puck drops at 7pm and the game will be broadcast live on www.canadawest.tv.