UBC Defeats SFU

The future looks bright for the UBC men’s hockey program as four rookies scored in the Thunderbirds 4-3 overtime victory over SFU in exhibition action at the Doug Mitchell Sports Centre Friday night.

Joe Antilla who won a WHL Championship with the Kootenay ICE in 2011, scored the winner on the power play with 2:24 remaining in overtime.

UBC dominated the first 14 minutes of the game, but could not beat SFU goaltender Graeme Gordon. At one point in the period, shots were 12-2 in favour of the Thunderbirds.

Newcomers Scott MacDonald and Brad Hoban both had early chances, but could not sneak one by the SFU keeper.

The visitors would get on the board first as Jono Ceci banged in a rebound past Jordan White with 5:30 left in the first period.

However, just before the period was over, Hoban jumped out of the penalty box and converted a 2-and-0 on a nice feed from Ben Schmidt to tie the game at 1-1 after 20 minutes. Shots were 16-6 for UBC through one period.

The Thunderbirds picked up right where they left off in the first period, controlling the play and peppering the SFU goalie.

Nate Fleming was denied on a breakaway, but immediately after Scott MacDonald stickhandled his way through a crowd, beating Gordon to break the tie and give UBC a 2-1 lead. 1:26 later, while shorthanded, Dillion Wagner picked up a loose puck, dangled a defender, and slid it home to put the Thunderbirds ahead 3-1.

Just like in the first period, SFU would score against the run of play. Joey Pavone found a loose puck in the slot  and made no mistake to cut the lead to 3-2. That is how things would stand through two periods of play.

SFU took little time scoring the equlaizer in the third period; 14 seconds into the frame Ben Van Lare scored to even things up at 3-3. UBC would have their chances to get the go ahead goal, but once again Graeme Gordon was there to deny them.

He stopped Hoban and Max Grassi on a late power play to keep the game tied after 60 minutes of play.

In overtime, the Thunderbirds would get a rare power play and after going 0-for-5 on the man advantage through three periods of play, they would make SFU pay in extra time. Joe Antilla banged home a loose puck at the side of the net to give the Thunderbirds a 4-3 victory.

These two teams will do battle again tomorrow night, this time at Bill Copeland Arena in Burnaby, BC. Puck drop is at 7:00 pm.

The Thunderbirds open the Canada West regular season Friday September 28th in Regina against the Cougars for a pair of games.