Photo Credit: Damon James

The SFU Men’s Hockey Team look to begin 2017 with a pair of wins against Selkirk College in Castlegar this weekend.

“It’s always tough [playing Selkirk], they play an in-your-face style of hockey as well. They have some big bodies, they like to punish us, down low and on the forecheck, they’ve got some crafty guys that can score as well,” said head coach Mark Coletta. “We’ve just got to be ready to stay out of the box and make sure we’re disciplined.”

SFU heads into the matchup with a 2-1 record against Selkirk, including a hard fought regulation win on the road. The 3-2 victory over the Saints in Castlegar on October 8, was SFU’s first regulation victory against Selkirk since January 15, 2012. The Clan have gone 3-11 in the Castlegar Recreation Centre since the 2012/13 season.

The Saints are only four points back from SFU’s first place spot in the BCIHL standings.

In 13 games, SFU leads the BCIHL in offence with 67 goals scored, an average of 5.15 goals per game. Selkirk College is right behind SFU in the goals scored column with 50.

While the Clan finished the semester off on a three game winning streak, the Saints finished with two losses — including a 5-1 loss to SFU at the Bill Copeland Centre.

Selkirk’s Dallas Calvin remains one of the league’s most dangerous forwards, and is currently in a five game goal streak and seven game point streak — a period that has seen him rack up six goals and 15 points. However, Calvin did not play in Selkirk’s most recent game because of an upper body injury.

The Clan will likely split the starts in net between goaltenders Jordan Liem and Lyndon Stanwood.

SFU’s league leading offensive attack will be bolstered by the return of many players from injury. Forward Scott Patterson, who missed the previous two games, is expected to be ready for play. Patterson leads the team in points with 18.

Defenceman Robson Cramer, who suffered an eye injury in the preseason, is healthy. Mike Sandor, who has not played since October 15th, is expected to return.

Dustin Cave and Jaret Babych, who were injured at the end of the year, are expected to be ready.

Defenceman Nick Coltura and forward Pavlo Zerebecky are out with injury.

Puck drop is at 7 pm both tonight and tomorrow night. The games will be streamed on HockeyTV.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Tyler Basham — SFU
(5G, 6A, 8GP) (2015/16: 11G, 11A, 22GP)
Since he came back from injury, Tyler Basham has been on fire — he hasn’t stopped scoring. With five goals in his last four games, Basham’s been one of the key parts of a BCIHL-leading offence. Basham is a go-to guy on the power play, with three of his goals coming on a man advantage. His scoring streak includes a 5-1 victory against Selkirk College.

Nathan Browne — SEL
(3G, 5A, 10GP) (2015/16: 3G, 12A, 21GP)
With a 6’2 frame, Nathan Browne is a force to be reckoned with on the blue line. He can also chip in on the offensive side. In his first year in the BCIHL last year, he contributed 12 assists. This season, he’s matched his goal total from last year with three. Two of those goals came in Selkirk’s 5-2 comeback win against SFU on October 15.