Courtesy: Liam Richards/Electric Umbrella/Huskie Athleitcs

By Wray Morrison

UBC TAKES SERIES LEAD

T-Birds pull out OT win in semi final opener

Mar 1, 2025 | 12:05 AM

“We just weren’t sharp.” That was Huskie coach, Brandin Cote’s, assessment of his team following a 5-4 overtime loss to the UBC Thunderbirds in the first game of a best-of-three Canada West quarterfinal series at Merlis Belsher Place on Friday night. The home side gave up a two-goal lead, allowed a shorthanded marker, connected just once on seven power-play chances and, in overtime, misplayed a blocked shot that led to the game winning goal for the Thunderbirds.

Veteran UBC forward, Sasha Mutala, scored his second goal at the 3:10 mark of extra time for the win. Following a UBC block that went down to Huskie territory, goaltender Roddy Ross had an up-ice pass attempt intercepted by Mutala, who then had an open net to shoot at.

Cote was quick to compliment the T-Birds following the game as UBC outshot Saskatchewan 42-28. “They’ve got some good players”, Cote said. “Give them credit, I thought they deserved to win tonight.”

It was a game that many would argue should not have come down to overtime. The U of S took a 3-1 lead in the late stages of the second period, in a 4 on 4 situation, when Landon Kosior made an impressive move from the left-wing boards and beat T-Bird goalie Cole Schwebius with a hard shot.

However, the two-goal edge was short lived. Scott Atkinson, scored to cut the Huskie advantage to one less than two minutes later. In the early minutes of the third period, UBC dictated play. Carson Latimer buried a short-handed tally at 3:56 to tie the game. That was followed by Mutala’s first of the night, on the power play, to give UBC a 4-3 lead. “It seemed like when we got momentum, we gave it right back to them”, Cote said.

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While the Huskie power play ran at less than 15%, on seven chances, it did give the home side some life as Liam Keeler tied the game with 5:17 remaining. Despite the miscue in overtime, Ross made several big stops to hold the Thunderbirds at bay. “He gave us a chance to win”, said Cote. “You can’t really blame him.”

Josh Williams and Scott Atkinson had the other Thunderbird goals, while Keeler, Kosior, Justin Ball and Chantz Petruic scored for Saskatchewan. Schwebius made 28 saves for the win. UBC was 2-for-7 on the man advantage.

“We just weren’t moving our feet enough”, said Cote. “It really wasn’t the way we typically play.” The Huskies have little time to be consumed by the loss. Game two is Saturday night at 7:00 PM at Merlis Belsher Place and can be heard on the free HuskieFAN app.

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wray.morrison@pattisonmedia.com

X: @wraymorrison