VANCOUVER - The University of Calgary Dinos found their way back into the win column Saturday night, defeating the UBC Thunderbirds 4-1 at Father David Bauer Arena in Vancouver.

After dropping the weekend opener by a 2-1 score against these same Thunderbirds, the Dinos looked to regroup and head into the exam break on a winning note. 

Calgary got off to a great start, opening the scoring just three minutes and 28 seconds into the opening frame. After the Thunderbirds won a faceoff in their own end, Elgin Pearce forced a turnover behind the net and quickly centered it to Dylan Walchuk in the slot. He fired a sharp wrist shot top shelf before Thunderbirds goalie Derek Dun had a chance to react, his fourth of the season.

The Dinos dominated puck possession the rest of the period, outshooting the Thunderbirds 13-2 in the first, but were unable to find the back of the net a second time. 

After being held to only two shots in the opening frame, UBC came out strong in the second period, peppering six shots in the first five minutes. They tied things up early on the power play, with Jerret Smith one-timing a Michael Stenerson feed past Dinos goalie Matthew Greenfield on the low blocker side. Joe Antilla was credited with the second assist on Smith's goal at the 2:39 mark. 

Calgary was able to regain their lead shortly after, with Adam Kambeitz deflecting a Cain Franson shot past Dun on the power play , 6:01 into the period. Braiden Doucette picked up the second helper on Kambeitz's second of the season.

The Dinos regained control of the puck possession game following their second goal, with Dun denying three solid scoring chances to prevent Calgary from adding to their lead. UBC was almost able to tie it up late in the period as Greenfield misplayed the puck to a Thunderbirds player, but was able to scramble back to his net and make a nice glove save. 

Once again the Thunderbirds came out aggressive, opening up with a couple of solid scoring chances, as they looked to tie it up early in the third period. Greenfield was ready for the test however, as he was able to keep the Dinos slim lead intact. 

Calgary added to their lead on the power play as Coda Gordon fired a sharp, cross-ice pass to a wide-open Drydn Dow, who had snuck in behind the defence. UBC pulled their goalie late, trying desperately to cut into the Dinos lead, but Gordon stripped the puck from a Thunderbirds defender and found Dylan Walchuk who easily potted the empty netter for his second of the night.

With the win Calgary improves to 10-5-1, while UBC drops to 5-10-1. The Dinos now head into exam break, before returning to action on January 6th against the Lethbridge Pronghorns at home. Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m. MT.

-UC-