VANCOUVER – A go-ahead third-period goal lifted the UBC Thunderbirds to a 2-1 win over the University of Calgary Dinos men's hockey team to send the Canada West Final to a decisive Game 3.

Jack Wismer got the game-winning goal mid-way through the third period that brought the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre to its feet on Saturday night.

On Sunday, the Thunderbirds will have a chance to win their first conference title in more than half a century, while the Dinos will attempt to stop them and defend their Canada West crown.

"You go to Game 3 to win a championship – everybody is going to take that opportunity," said Calgary head coach Mark Howell. "We will grow from what we did today, learn on the positives, maybe change a couple of things to make ourselves better and more capable tomorrow night."

Colson Gengenbach continued his hot hand and opened the scoring with five minutes remaining in the first period. After Calgary won a battle along the end boards, the puck popped out to Connor Gutenberg, who fed Gengenbach in the slot. The shot barely sneaked past UBC netminder Cole Schwebius, but it was enough to make it 1-0.

The Dinos had their opportunities to extend their lead in the middle frame but were denied by the post three times.

At the other end of the ice, the Thunderbirds threw plenty of rubber at the net. Dinos goaltender Carl Tetachuk was unflappable until a UBC power play in the late stages of the second period shifted the momentum.

Sam Huo's point shot was redirected by T-Birds captain Chris Douglas and fluttered in the air before dropping into the net.

The goal brought the UBC offence back to life as they pilled up the shots, out-chasing Calgary on the shot clock 41-21 in Game 2.

The game-winning goal came at 10:54 of the third period on a highlight-reel effort by Wismer. The third-year forward chipped the puck into the zone and then muscled his way past a defender before beating Tetachuk over the shoulder.

Calgary would hit the post once more in the third and brought out an extra attacker in the final minute but could not find the equalizer.

The Thunderbirds will host Game 3 of the Canada West Final on Sunday, March, 3 with an 8 p.m. MT puck drop from Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.

-UC-