CALGARY – The University of British Columbia Thunderbirds will get a shot at redemption in the 2013 Canada West Playoffs as they are set to take on the No. 10 University of Calgary Dinos in the quarterfinals, the same spot the two squads met last season.
 
This year's series gets underway with a 7 p.m. puck drop for the first two games on Friday and Saturday nights, respectively, at the Max Bell Centre. If necessary, Game 3 will be played Sunday, Feb. 17 at Father David Bauer Arena, also at 7 p.m.
 
Entering the 2012 Canada West playoffs, the Thunderbirds were characterized as similar team to the one they are a year later. A pesky roster filled with talent, UBC has the skill and tenacity that has showed they can compete with anyone in the conference at any given time. In Game 1 of the Canada West Quarterfinals last season, the Dinos found out just how good the Thunderbirds were as they were stunned in a 4-3 series opening lost. The next night while on the brink of elimination, Dustin Butler led Calgary to a series-tying 4-0 victory, forcing a third and deciding game. In Game 3, the Dinos held off a Thunderbirds rally to clinch the series 3-2.
 
During the four-game season series in 2012/13, Calgary edged UBC with a record of 3-1-0. In their lone series at Father David Bauer Arena, the two clubs split a pair of games. The Thunderbirds took the opener of the weekend-set in mid-October 4-2, before the home side rebounded with a 7-4 result the following evening.
 
The Dinos won both contests in Vancouver this year, including a 2-1 decision on Jan. 5 when Jesse Ismond potted a goal in overtime. Brock Nixon led Calgary in scoring against the Thunderbirds this year with two goals and six assists. Scott Wasden was the top UBC point producer against Calgary with three goals and two assists.
 
Entering his final tour of duty this playoff season with the Dinos, Nixon will be looked upon to bring the same spark he brought during Calgary's post season run in 2012. In last year's opening round, the Russell, Manitoba native netted three goals including the game-winner to send the Thunderbirds home. In round two, Nixon carried the same antics to his home province where he once again booked his team's ticket to the next round. Much like a Martin Gelinas did for the Calgary Flames during the 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs run, Nixon buried another series-winning goal, this time in overtime while shorthanded, as the Dinos swept the conference-best Manitoba Bisons. The Former Calgary Hitmen forward finished the 2012 postseason with eight points in eight games as the Dinos fell one goal short of a second-consecutive trip to CIS nationals.
 
The winner of this series will go on to play either the Alberta Golden Bears or the Saskatchewan Huskies in the semi-finals. The other quarterfinal match-up this weekend features the Manitoba Bisons hosting the Regina Cougars. Unless the Cougars and pull off an upset against the Bisons, the winner of this weekend's series in Calgary will travel north next week to play the No. 2 Golden Bears.