BOX SCORE

CALGARY – With the help of Brock Nixon's stick, the University of Calgary Dinos advanced to the Canada West semi-final after knocking off the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds 3-2 on Sunday evening at Father David Bauer Arena.

The series went back and forth, and the third and final game was no different with the Thunderbirds coming back from a two-goal deficit, only to see the Dinos move on, off a goal in the third period.

Game 1 saw UBC capitalize on Calgary mistakes on route to a 4-3 win. Saturday night was all Dinos as the home side was in complete control of a 4-0 victory to send the series to Sunday.

The first period saw a much more aggressive Thunderbirds team come out. Shots ended in favor of the Dinos 10-8, but UBC was able to get more chances then on net then they managed on Saturday. Calgary was shut down on two power play chances after having their way against the UBC penalty kill in the first two games. The stanza ended scoreless.

The Dinos opened the scoring for the third time this series with a tally at the 9:18 mark of the second period. Brock Nixon's attempt from in front of the net went wide, but from the left side defenceman Luke Egener notched his second goal in as many games.

Just under five minutes later Calgary struck again. A bullet from the point by Brett Bartman handcuffed Jordan White as it found the back of the net giving the blue liner his first goal of the year. Dylan Hood picked up an assist on the play which gave the Dinos a 2-0 advantage.

The Thunderbirds cut the lead in half at 17:17 of the middle frame. Playing in his first match of the series, Ilan Cumberbirch let a shot go from the top of the Dinos' zone and beat Dustin Butler through the five-hole. UBC trailed Calgary 2-1 going into the final period.

With time ticking off the clock, UBC tied the game at the 7:44 mark. Marc Desloges wired a shot that found its way through Butler as momentum continued to teeter totter.

A giveaway in their own zone wound up costing the Thunderbirds their season with fewer than 10 to go in the third. A UBC defender coughed up the puck, and Nixon grabbed it right at the top of the zone and let a howitzer go which eluded the outstretched netminder White.

The final stages of the game saw the Dinos match lines with the Thunderbirds, sending out Colton Grant, Teegan Moore, and Tyler Fiddler every time the top UBC players were out on the ice. The Thunderbirds would get the goaltender out in the final minute, but a strong defensive stance by Calgary allowed them to hold on for the series win.

The Dinos outshot the Thunderbirds 34-24. Calgary was 0-for-3 on the power play, while UBC was 0-for-4.

Calgary will now move onto the Canada West semi-final where they will face the conference-best Manitoba Bisons. The series will begin on March 2 with Game 2 going the following night. Both games will start at 6 p.m. MT. If necessary, Game 3 will take place on the Sunday at 6 p.m. as well.

-UC-