VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds play their final regular season games at War Memorial Gym this weekend, as they host the UBC Okanagan Heat for games on Friday, February 18th at 7:30 p.m. (PT) and Saturday, February 19th at 4:30 p.m. (PT).
Spirits will be sky-high Saturday afternoon as the T-Birds will honour Jonathan Lee, Coltyn Liu, Zec Johnson, Tyson Smith, and Zarley Zalusky for Seniors night.
UBC (7-5) welcomes UBCO (6-4) onto the Point Grey Campus for the first time this season, after previously splitting an early December series in Kelowna, 3-1 and 0-3. The importance of this matchup cannot be understated as the T-Birds sit only one game ahead of the Heat in the standings. With just weeks until playoff positions are confirmed, this high-stakes environment presents the ‘Birds their last home opportunity to prepare for what is sure to be an ultra-competitive post-season.
UBC returns home after a dominant weekend away against the Fraser Valley Cascades on February 11th and 12th. A limited number of players did not stop the ‘Birds from executing their game plan Friday night, as they made efficient work of their opponents to take all three sets, 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-26). Michael Dowhaniuk’s 17 kills the following day match powered his team to a similar straight-set result, 3-0 (25-19, 25-13, 25-18).
The well-rested Heat last played on January 28th and 29th, where they welcomed the Thompson Rivers Wolfpack to Kelowna. After dropping the opening Friday night frame, UBCO flipped a switch and took the next three games to secure the 3-1 win (24-26, 25-15, 31-29, 25-17). Saturday’s back-and-forth affair found the Heat close out the weekend in the fifth and final frame, 3-2 (25-21, 20-25, 20-25, 25-22, 7-15).
The high-flying attack of the ‘Birds flows through Dowhaniuk’s and Matt Neaves, who have combined for more than 200 kills this season. Mason Greves continues to be the glue that connects his team adding 342 assists, while Gerard Murray’s defensive prowess has led to a team-high 39 blocks. UBC will look to leverage their strengths behind the service line, where they lead the Canada West in Service Aces with 115.
All tickets to T-Birds games this year are free, but you must register in advance here.
Games can be streamed live on Canada West TV presented by Co-op.