Photo Credit: Damon James

Fans can expect an intense, physical game when SFU Men’s Hockey returns home and renews their rivalry with the four-time reigning BCIHL Champions, the Selkirk College Saints, this Saturday.

“Every time we play Selkirk, it’s a battle,” said assistant coach Tom Spencer. “As a group, we’re always chomping at the bit to play those guys, the defending champs four years in a row. I know the feeling’s mutual in the other dressing room, so they’re going to be ready to play against us and we’ve got to be on our best and have a good rebound game from last week.”

Despite a 3-1 loss against Trinity Western last Friday to close off the trip, SFU are coming a largely successful stretch that saw them take seven of a possible 10 points.

Tyler Basham, who had missed five games with injury, was SFU’s lone goal scorer Friday night, his first of the season.

In two matchups between SFU and Selkirk College this season, the road team has won. In the season opener weekend, SFU took a rare regulation win in Castlegar, a 3-2 result. At home, the Clan were leading in the third period 2-0, but surrendered five consecutive goals to lose 5-2.

The Clan are one of the strongest offensive teams in the league with four players — Scott Patterson, Adam Callegari, Mathew Berry-Lamontagna, and Brendan Lamont — in the top 10 BCIHL scoring list, and having scoring the most goals in the league with 49 over 10 games played.

However, Selkirk College is right behind SFU in the goal scoring department, having scored 39 total, good for second in the league. They also contain the BCiHL scoring leader, Dallas Calvin, who has five goals and 17 points in 10 games played.

Calvin has only been held off the scoresheet three times this season, once by SFU. He has only been held pointless eight games in his career and four of those were against the Clan.

The Saints offence is bolstered by a solid supporting crew. Forward Matt Martin sits just outside of the BCIHL top 10 scoring list at 11th with six goal and 10 assists in nine games. Freshman forward Jack Mills has proven a capable offence producer with six goals and nine points in his rookie campaign.

Before taking on SFU, Selkirk College take on Trinity Western tonight at the Langley Events Centre. Trinity Western just captured first place yesterday with a win against Eastern Washington, and are one point ahead of SFU now. Selkirk is one point back from SFU, and a Selkirk victory tonight would put SFU in third place for Saturday’s matchup.

Saturday also marks the second annual Teddy Bear and Underwear Toss game. Fans are asked to bring new packaged underwear/socks or teddy bears to the game, which they will toss onto the ice when SFU scores their first goal. Volunteers will collect everything thrown on the ice and donate it to local community groups.

All teddy bears that are tossed on the ice will be donated to the Burnaby Christmas Bureau and will be given to children during the holiday season. All underwear and socks collected will be donated to Lookout Society Surrey, which provides services and assistance to those facing the challenge of homelessness.

If you do not bring bears, underwear, or socks to the game, teddy bears will be available for purchase in the lobby—with all proceeds going towards the Surrey Christmas Bureau. This will be our fourth year working with the Surrey Christmas Bureau, and each year we’ve raised hundreds of dollars for the group, and last year, we collected and donated over 300 bears and 150 pairs of underwear/socks to local charities.

Puck drop is 7 PM at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, and free for children under 6 or for SFU students with valid ID. The game will also be streamed live on FASTHockey.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Adam Callegari – SFU
(4G, 7A, 7GP) (2015/16: 3G, 6A, 14 GP)
Adam Callegari is not just hot on the scoresheet, but he’s also the odds on favorite to be the goal scorer for the Teddy Bear and Underwear Toss. Looking for a hattrick in teddy bear toss goals — he has the two previous, one dating back before underwear was accepted — fans will be anxious to see if it is once again #36 who starts the excitement. Callegari is eighth in BCIHL scoring, despite missing three games to injury. He has been held pointless only once this season, and only twice had less than two points in a game. He has already surpassed his last year total in both goals and points.

Matt Martin – SEL
(6G, 4A, 9GP) (2015/16: 7G, 8A, 23 GP)
Matt Martin is an excellent two way forward who can both score goals and play a tight, defensive game — perhaps Selkirk’s Brandon Tidy. Right now, however, Martin is known primarily for his offence, sitting just outside of the BCIHL top 10 scoring list at 11th. He has scored goals in his two previous games, and is riding a six game point streak, where he has put up 10 points, six of them goals.