Richie Hilton, Pronghorn Athletics
Lethbridge – The UBC Thunderbirds scored twice in the first, three times in the third period and that was more than enough as goaltender Matt Hewitt was perfect as the Thunderbirds shutout the hometown Lethbridge Pronghorns 5-0.
Matt Revel and Tyler Sandhu each scored twice and Michael Stenerson added one. Hewitt was outstanding for the T-Birds with a 39 save shutout.
Garret Hughson took the loss, making 21 saves.
The loss is the Pronghorns fifth in a row and drops their record to 1-5-1. The T-Birds have now won three in a row and move above .500 at 4-3-0.
UBC got off to a great start, as they came in with an odd man rush only 31-seconds into the first period. Riley Guenther's initial shot slipped through Garrett Hughson and Michael Stenerson collected the rebound behind the 'Horns goaltender to go up 1-0.
An early power play for the 'Horns sparked a few chances, with Justin Valentino's backhand shot being redirected by Mitch Maxwell, but goaltender Matt Hewitt made a quick pad save.
The Thunderbirds would also get their chance on the power play and capitalize to double the lead. Tyler Sandhu gathered a wide rebound from Hughson and put it into the wide open net.
The Pronghorns would attack back quickly as both Blake Orban and Torrin White would beat Hewitt, but not the crossbar or post, respectively.
White would continue to hover around the net as he would collect a shot off the back board and try to tap the puck in, but Hewitt made a split toe save to keep the game at 2-0.
Just like the second half of the first period, the 'Horns continued to put pressure on the UBC defence during the entire second period but couldn't beat Hewitt.
The Pronghorns first line with Mitch Maxwell, Jay, Merkley, and Justin Valentino had the best chances through the second period, but couldn't find the back of the net.
The Best chance came from Captain Mitch Maxwell when he would beat two UBC defenders, but was battling a bouncing puck that would lead to a wraparound chance that would go through the crease.
At the other end, the best chance from the Thunderbirds came from leading goal scorer Austin Vetterl as he would collect a big rebound in front, but would miss an open cage off the side of the net.
The home team would have multiple chances to score in the third but again couldn't find a way to beat Hewitt on this night
Connor Sanvido had a chance off a deflection in front, Sward hit the cross bar shooting from a bad angle, and White would come inches away from putting the puck in off the back boards, but would hit the side of the net.
UBC's Revel scored twice on breakaways seven minutes apart and Sandu picked up his second of the night with just over just two minutes to play to round out the scoring.
It's a short turnaround for the Pronghorns and Thunderbirds, they will hit the ice tomorrow afternoon at 1:00pm. The game will also be streamed live on www.canadawest.tv.