CALGARY – For the first and only time this season, the Calgary Dinos host the UBC Thunderbirds at Father David Bauer in a battle between two teams closely positioned in the Canada West standings.

Last weekend Calgary faced the Lethbridge Pronghorns. On Friday, after being up two goals through the first period, the Dinos watched their lead evaporate as the Pronghorns stole a 3-2 win in double overtime. The next night Calgary responded with a dominant performance as they knocked off Lethbridge 4-1 to take three out of  four points from the home-and-home set.

The Thunderbirds come into Calgary following two straight wins over the Regina Cougars. In the first game UBC grabbed a three-goal lead early in the third period holding on for a 4-2 win. The Thunderbirds completely shut down the Cougars offence on the Saturday night as Jordan White collected a fifteen save shutout in a 4-0 victory to complete the sweep.

In their four games played in Vancouver in the fall, the Dinos went 2-2-0 against the Thunderbirds. Taylor Stefishen, who played 2010-11 for the WHL's Prince George Cougars, became a thorn in the T-Birds' side by scoring five goals and an assist against them this year. Max Grassi has had a similar effect on the Dinos by registering two goals and three assists in the four games. Last season, Calgary was 3-1-0 against UBC, including 1-1-0 at home.

This weekend's match-up will decide who holds fourth place in the conference. Calgary currently is one point ahead of UBC, but the Thunderbirds have played two fewer games. Both teams' numbers are very similar. Each has scored 56 goals so far this season. The Dinos have also allowed 57 goals, while the Thunderbirds have given up 56.

The race for fourth place is an important one, as the top four teams at the end of the year will host a playoff series – and these two teams could very well meet again in the post-season. And UBC success this weekend could mean that series will take place in Vancouver – where the Thunderbirds haven't played at home in the playoffs in nearly 40 years.

The biggest difference for Calgary in these two games could be their ability to stay out of the sin bin. The Dinos have taken 396 PIMs this year compared to 211 by the T-Birds, making them the most disciplined team in the league.

Calgary will also have to manage the balanced offence UBC has. While Stefishen and Brock Nixon are one and two in goals scored for the Dinos with nine and eight, respectively, the Thunderbirds have four players with seven goals. Staying disciplined and defensively aware should give the Dinos their best chance at success against the T-Birds.

Back on Jan. 15, 2011, the last time the Thunderbirds played at Father David Bauer, not many people knew about UBC goaltender Jordan White. That changed no less than five days later when he got the call to the National Hockey League. The San Jose Sharks were getting prepared to play the Canucks in Vancouver when goalie Antero Niittymäki went down with an injury in practice. White was brought in to back-up Antti Niemi for the night and take part in pre-game warm-up.

"The coach at UBC has an NHL goaltender now," said Sharks' head coach Todd McLellan after the game, "So the rest of CIS better worry."

This season White has a 2.60 GAA and .910 save percentage he is also tied for third in Canada West with eight wins.

The Dinos continue their five-game home stand next weekend as they host Regina for two games on Jan. 27-28. UBC returns to the west coast where they play the Alberta Golden Bears on Jan. 27-28.

-UC-