VANCOUVER – Goals were hard to come by Friday night at Father Bauer Arena but entertainment was not as the UBC Thunderbirds (11-1-1) eked out a 3-1 win over the Alberta Golden Bears (7-5-1) in a playoff type atmosphere between two Canada West heavyweight contenders.

After staking out a 2-0 lead through 20 minutes, the T-Birds were relentless in the second period but Ethan Kruger stopped all 15 shots he faced in the frame to keep his team in the fight.

Blake Gustafson got the Golden Bears on the board early in the third, sparking some energy on the Alberta bench, but Chris Douglas hit the empty net to seal the victory, UBC's third in as many games against their rivals from Edmonton this season while extending the team's point streak to 12 games.

The 'Birds had back-to-back power play opportunities early in the third period, Dylan Ruptash called for interference at 5:47 followed by Jayden Joly for a trip at the eight minute mark. Despite plenty of zone time and opportunities, UBC just couldn't find a way to restore their two-goal advantage, finishing the night 0-for-4.

Alberta placed Kruger on the bench for the extra attacker with just under two minutes remaining, but Douglas' empty netter with just 16 seconds remaining secured UBC's 11th win in their last 12 games on the captain's seven goal of the season and 100th career Canada West point.

It was a just result for a T-Birds team which, despite the close score on the board, played one of their most dominant efforts of the season, outshooting the Bears 42-16.

Doust broke the ice early with his second of the season just 3:16 after puck drop. The fourth-year collected a loose puck in the neutral zone, burst in on Kruger on a 2-on-1 with James Form and sniped, blocker side.

Kotai's fourth doubled UBC's lead at 12:46, taking a centring feed from Williams and rifling it five-hole.

Joel Sexsmith hit the post five minutes into the second period, and Cole Schwebius made an incredible acrobatic save on Tyson Laventure with about five minutes remaining in the frame, but otherwise it was all Thunderbirds.
 
Coming in waves, the 'Birds did everything but score, thanks in large part to Kruger, the veteran goaltender stopping 39 of UBC's 41 shots on the night.

Schwebius denied Laventure again midway through the third on a high danger shorthanded chance, only to have Kruger answer seconds later denying Mutala on a breakaway.

Alberta's only goal of the night came off a rare UBC gaffe in the defensive zone, a turnover leading to a centring feed to Gustafson who made things interesting with his second of the season.

But the 'Birds held firm the rest of the way, Schwebius picking up his sixth win of the season between the pipes.

UBC will have the opportunity to clinch the season series over their division rivals Saturday in the final regular season meeting at home against the Bears, which would also open up a ten point lead over Alberta in the west division standings.

Puck drop at Father Bauer Arena Saturday is set for 3:00 p.m. Tickets are available online and the game will be streamed live on Canada West TV.