T-Birds renew rivalry with Dinos in first home series of 2026

Back on home ice for the first time in six weeks, the No. 1 UBC Thunderbirds (18-2) face yet another strong test early in the new year as the Calgary Dinos (13-4-3) pay their only visit to Vancouver this regular season Friday and Saturday, January 16 and 17 at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.

Starting the new year on the road last weekend with a mixed bag of success, splitting their only two-game series of the season with the Mount Royal Cougars, the T-Birds have rebound on their minds as they look to build on a 21-game home ice regular season win streak dating back to October of 2024.

"It exposed some areas that maybe if the bounces go our way and we play a bit better and get the two wins we maybe don't look at it," said UBC head coach, Graham Thomas, focussing on the silver linings of Saturday's regulation loss to the Cougars. "We got away from some of the simple, fundamental things that we do well and we just weren't sharp and consistent. It was a good little punch in the mouth, little wakeup call for our group and we're excited to move on this weekend."

As motivated as the Thunderbirds are, the same can be said for the Dinos who enter the weekend just two points behind Mount Royal for top spot in the east division.

"We got to respect them coming in and then really get up for the challenge of playing a fresh opponent almost like at a national championship," said Thomas. "Both teams will kind of be feeling each other out but we don't want to wait to see what they do, we got to get in there and have an attack and play our game right from puck drop."

Holding a comfortable 15-point lead of their own atop the west division, the Thunderbirds continue to lead the Canada West in wins (18), points (36), goals (59), goal differential (+41) power play (18.3%) and penalty kill (93%).

Further improving the national contender's overall arsenal, the team added a key offensive piece over the December break as Russian national Ilona Markova will make her home ice debut Friday.

"She's very creative, she's fast and thinks the game differently which is an advantage and a positive but in the short term it's an adjustment for everybody, bringing in a player late. Coming back from the break we're trying a few new things like (Ashton) Thorpe going back on defence. It's all got its short term challenges but we see the long-term pay off in adding a player like Markova who can be a game-breaker with her skill and ability. She likes to shoot and attack, she's very skilled but she's also adjusting to the North American game and learning our systems. She's smart, she's going to figure it out fast. She fits into the team really well."

Markova was selected by Boston in the seventh round of the 2024 PWHL Draft and has extensive professional playing experience having competed in the top Russian women's league for the past seven seasons with Agidel Ufa.