by Austin Cozicar

BURNABY, BC — SFU’s final home series of the regular season was a mixed bag. Goaltender Michael Lenko earned his first shutout of the season and SFU’s seventh straight win Friday night, but Selkirk College spoiled Senior’s Night the following night with a 5-1 upset.

With Lenko’s 20-save 3-0 shutout over UVic Friday, all three SFU goalies have posted a shutout.

“I got into the game early, got a lot of shots against, but the boys settled down and they made it pretty easy for the rest of the way,” said Lenko.

Arjun Badh was on fire with a goal and an assist, first feeding a perfect pass to Mac Colasimone for the first goal of the night, then taking in the second one all alone on a breakaway, outwaiting Vikes goalie Daniel Paul.

“The first period you could tell we were a little slow, but as the game went on, we picked it up,” said Badh. “We’re peaking at the right time.”

McKullen Astill scored the night’s final goal, earning two points on the night along with Mateo Coltellaro.

Saturday night was a different story.

Graduating players Eric Callegari and Matthew Holowko were honoured for the final regular season home game.

Holowko fought Selkirk’s Sebastian Powsey just under five minutes in.

SFU controlled pace of play early, with Ty Westgard scoring on a five minute power play, assisted by Takato Cox and Arjan Cheema.

With 30 seconds left in the first, Saints forward Garrett Hilton tied the game up.

SFU ran into penalty troubles in the second period, playing much of the period shorthanded — down two men sometimes. Selkirk took advantage and ended the period with a 3-1 lead. Two more in the third period solidified a 5-1 loss, snapping SFU’s win streak.

Andrew Henderson made 30 saves on 35 shots (.857 SV%).

“I guess the silver lining is you’d rather lose today in February than in March,” said head coach Mark Colletta. “It is what it is, and you move on.”

While SFU is finished at home for the rest of the regular season, they have five more road games before playoffs begin March 13. With Friday’s win, SFU clinched a spot in the playoffs.

First up is back-to-back rematches with Selkirk College this Friday and Saturday in Castlegar. Puck drops at 7 pm for both games.