SURREY, BC — SFU Men’s Hockey lost 2-1 to BCIHL rivals, the Trinity Western Spartans, at the Surrey Sports & Leisure Centre, in game two of the Captain’s Cup exhibition series.

Despite the loss, head coach Mark Coletta was happy with the team’s effort rebounding from an 8-3 loss the night before against UBC.

“I thought our guys bounced back after last night’s performance, and played three whole periods of really good hockey,” he said. “That’s what you need early in the season, everybody to be going at the same level, the same pace.”

Trinity Western opened the scoring, as Deryk Kirchner found his way to the back of the net with 4:19 left in the first.

After putting up two assists the night before, SFU’s Daniell Lange evened up the score early in the second period on a breakaway chance set up by newcomer defenceman Braxton Bilous.

The Spartans, however, regained the lead later in the period, scoring on the power play.

In the third period, the Clan had a number of power play opportunities, but were unable to convert. Bilous showed off a dangerous ability to shoot, but Spartan goaltender Silas Matthys stood tall.

Brandon Tidy had some of the best chances to tie up the game, with multiple breakaway opportunities.

Trinity Western outshot SFU 34-23. Lyndon Stanwood made 32 saves (.942 SV%) for SFU.

With the loss, SFU are knocked out of contention for the President’s Trophy, that will be awarded to the winner of the Captain’s Cup. The victor of game three of the Captain’s Cup on Saturday, September 30th between Trinity Western and UBC will receive. Puck drop will be 2 pm at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Arena at the Point Grey campus.

SFU will next head to Alaska to take on the NCAA Division I University of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks and the University of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves on September 29th and 30th.