EDMONTON - UBC Thunderbird Sam Huo scored the game-winner with 3:37 left in regulation, giving the visitors a thrilling 4-2 win over the Alberta Golden Bears on Friday night. 

In front of nearly a sold Clare Drake Arena, the teams combined for five goals, 62 shots, and 14 powerplay opportunities in one of the best games of Canada West hockey this season. The win is the third straight for UBC over Alberta this season. 

The win improves UBC's record to a conference-best 21-4-0, while Alberta drops to 16-7-2. Despite the loss, Alberta maintains their slim lead over Saskatchewan for fourth in the conference standings. The Thunderbirds 42 points are two more than both Calgary and Mount Royal. 

Along with Huo's marker late in the third, UBC also received goals from Cyle McNabb, Ty Thorpe, and an empty net marker from Scott Atkinson. Cole Schwebius made 32 saves on 34 Alberta shots, improving to 12-0-1 in his sophomore season for the Thunderbirds. 

Aidan de la Gorgendiere and Josh Prokop scored for Alberta, who outshot UBC 34-28 in the loss. The Bears went 0/4 on the powerplay, while allowing two powerplay goals against on nine UBC chances. Alberta was plagued by undisciplined play, taking 14 minor penalties in the loss, compared to nine for UBC. 

Ethan Kruger stopped 24 of the 27 shots he faced, suffering his second loss in three starts. 

UBC jumped ahead midway through the first, as McNabb chipped a puck over Kruger on a Thunderbirds powerplay. The visitors doubled their lead early the second when Thorpe potted another powerplay marker. 

de la Gorgendiere scored his first as a Bear to cut the lead in half just over three minutes after Thorpe's tally. Prokop tied the game six minutes later, beating Schwebius on a breakaway off a perfect long-distance pass from Jakin Smallwood. 

Both teams had plenty of chances to break the deadlock early in the third, with the teams combining for 22 shots in a highly entertaining period. Huo finally broke the tie late, beating Kruger off a great pass from Josh Williams. 

The two rivals will meet again tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m.