VANCOUVER – It isn't always a Picasso.

A five-goal outburst during a six-minute span in the second period by the University of Calgary Dinos men's hockey team stunned the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre and led the visitors to a 5-2 win over the UBC Thunderbirds in Game 1 of the Canada West Final.

Conference first team all-star Colson Gengenbach paced the Dinos' attack with a goal and two assists on Friday, while goaltender Carl Tetachuk was excellent, stopping 34 attempts to put Calgary one win away from their second consecutive Canada West title.

"I challenged the guys after the first – we got to play harder – I thought we were getting beat off pucks and gave them a few too many easy plays," said Dinos head coach Mark Howell. "In the second period, I thought we won pucks, then we had people at the net, and started shooting."

Both goaltenders were called upon early and came up with breakaway stops before the Thunderbirds took advantage of home ice and potted the first goal of the series.

With the Dinos hemmed in their zone, the T-Birds created pressure and a scramble in front of the net. A broken play fell to Carson Miller who connected with Josh Williams to light the lamp.

"You're in the league final – you have to play heavy and hard. In the first, we weren't ready to do that," stated Howell.

Outshot 13-6 in the opening period, the Dinos showed their composure and experience in the second by tying the game five minutes in. Marty Westhaver broke into the zone from the right side and used his speed to beat a UBC defender and tuck a shot between the legs of goaltender Cole Schwebius.

The floodgates then opened.

From the left face-off circle, Adam Kydd rifled a shot past Schwebius and was followed up two minutes later by Aidan Sutter, whose goal from the blue line was his first since joining Calgary in January.

A mere 10 seconds after that, a laser by Gengenbach extended the lead to three. 

Max Patterson capped off the scoring clinic and gave the Dinos a 5-1 lead.

UBC got one back before the end of the second as Sam Huo continued his stellar post-season with his fifth goal. 

The T-Birds did not go away quietly in the third period, posting 12 shots on goal. Tetachuk remained poised as UBC swarmed and made some of his more stellar saves in the final minute – while also getting several key blocks from his defence.

"You saw it in the Mount Royal series, sometimes it isn't always pretty. In the first and third, he had to dig in with traffic in front and lots of shots, but he battled and made big saves when he had to," said Howell.

Game 2 of the Canada West Final will take place on Saturday, March 2 with a 8 p.m. MT puck drop at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.

-UC-