Golden Bears hockey return after split win weekend against the Thunderbirds
The Golden Bears Hockey team played the Thunderbirds for the first time since the Canada West semi-finals.
Fair Frames On October 25 and 26, the University of Alberta Golden Bears hockey team played against the University of British Columbia‘s Thunderbirds. The Bears started Friday’s game with a 6-0-0 record. This weekend series was the first time the teams played each other since the Bears’ 2-1 loss in the 2024 semi-finals.
Over the course of Canada West History, the Bears have gained 136 wins over the Thunderbirds, while only giving away 50 losses and one tie.
The Bears won Friday night’s game with a 5-3 score and a goal-heavy third period.
Brett Hyland set the tone for the game by scoring the only goal in the first, assisted by Ty Nash and Sean Tschigerl. Hyland has been averaging a goal a game since joining the Bears after the end of the pre-season.
The Bears gave up two goals in the second, only to come back stronger. Connor McClennon and Tyson Laventure scored back-to-back goals in the third, and both assisted in each other’s goals.
Eric Florchuck scored on the power play. With 20 seconds left in play, Justin Hall scored to give the Bears a two goal win over the Thunderbirds.
Fans have seen the Bears generate most of their excitement during the second period. They maintained the lead going into the third, and then sealed the deal in the last 10 minutes of play. The Thunderbirds kept the Bears on their toes during the first two periods, but could not make it last.
The Bears give up their undefeated record
Saturday night’s game saw the end to the Bears’ seven game, undefeated season, with a score of 4-1 for the Thunderbirds.
Tschigerl got the only goal of the game, his second of the weekend, and sixth of the season. He was assisted by Hyland, marking his sixth assist in eight games.
The Bears could not maintain their momentum and gave away two goals in the third.
Thunderbirds player Ty Thorpe scored the final goal of the game, unassisted of the empty net.
Pulling the goalie is a new move for the Bears, one that hasn’t been seen during pre-season losses. Whether it be Tyler Palmer or Ethan Kruger in net.
The weekend split marked the only time the Bears will play the Thunderbirds in the regular season.
The Bears’ next game is against the MacEwan Griffins, in what is likely to be a penalty heavy weekend if it’s anything similar to their home opener game.
