Box Score Max Grassi's third-period goal stood up as the winner as the UBC Thunderbirds scored a 4-3 victory over the University of Regina on Friday night in Canada West men's hockey action at The Co-operators Centre.

The game was the first of the 2012-13 Canada West schedule for both teams. It also marked the first game for U of R coach Todd Johnson, who was hired in the offseason as the program's eighth head coach.

Grassi's goal was a backbreaker, as it came just over a minute after the Cougars had tied it up in the early stages of the third period. UBC goaltender Jordan White made seven saves in the third period, securing the win for the Thunderbirds (1-0-0).

The Cougars opened the scoring five minutes into the first period after a shot from the point by Craig Cuthbert hit White in the shoulder and deflected in. That was followed just 48 seconds later by a goal from Tyler Murray, who took a pass from Sanfred King beside the net and beat White to give the U of R an early two-goal advantage.

UBC responded just over three minutes later, as Brad Hoban notched a power play goal with assists from Grassi and Kevin Smith. The Thunderbirds went into the first intermission down 2-1, but Smith scored a power play goal from Grassi and Neil Manning just 40 seconds into the second to tie the game.

Scott Wasden's goal just under five minutes into the second gave UBC a 3-2 advantage, a score which lasted through 40 minutes.

Troy Hunter and rookie Ryan Dech both assisted on Henry's power play marker just 14 seconds into the third period, but Grassi's game-winning effort would follow soon after.

White made 31 saves in the win for UBC, while Lucas Gore got the start for the Cougars and stopped 32 of UBC's 36 shots. The Thunderbirds were 2-for-5 with the power play, while the Cougars (0-1-0) were 1-for-5 with the man advantage.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday night at The Co-operators Centre. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.