ABBOTSFORD – The UBC Thunderbirds went neck-and-neck with Team Norway through most of Wednesday’s exhibition contest at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Complex. But when the game broke open in the third period, the Norwegian Olympic squad took over, handing the T-Birds a 4-1 defeat.

“Playing Norway was a great experience,” said UBC head coach, Milan Dragicevic. “We hung with them for a long time and they scored some nice goals in the third period. We had enough chances to capitalize in the second and we didn’t.”

The lone UBC goal came when Brendan Campos broke to the net and snuck a puck past Norway goaltender Pal Grotnes on the short side.

That tied the game at 1-1 after Norway opened the scoring on a backhander by Marius Holtet.

Dragicevic spoke about the different style of hockey in a game like this compared to a CIS match up.

“It’s not as physical, it’s not as grinding,” explainged Dragicevic. “These guys swing lots in the neutral zone and go for the long pass. Canada West is made up of short passes."

“We told our guys to just keep doing the same things,” continued Dragicevic, “which is getting the pucks in deep, and to keep fore-checking. It was a good for our guys to see international competition with an elite hockey country.”

UBC netminder Jordan White made a couple of big saves in the second period to keep the game tied at one, including an incredible diving stick save on a short-handed two on one.

But in the third, Team Norway’s pressure paid off, and the ‘Birds found themselves down by one just a minute into the final frame.

Then Norwegian forward and the game’s first star, Tore Vikingstad, dangled through the slot and beat a down and out White, firing the puck into the UBC net to make it 3-1 Norway.

Martin Roymark scored the game’s final tally on a partial breakaway, beating White with a move to his forehand.

“Our guys were looking forward to this game for a long time. They’re going to see these guys on TV in a few days,” said Dragicevic. “And I think Norway got some value by playing us in an exhibition game, too. Win or lose, it was a good experience and the people of Abbotsford did a great job organizing this event.”

The T-Birds close out their Canada West season with back-to-back road trips beginning this weekend in Edmonton as they take on the Alberta Golden Bears.  They wrap up their 2009-10 campaign the following weekend against the Calgary Dinos.
 
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