CASTLEGAR, BC — Having clawed their way back to only one goal back before the intermission, the SFU Men’s Hockey Team were doing everything right in the third period. Controlling the pace of play, they held Selkirk College to just two shots in the period.

SFU was rewarded on the scoresheet, too, putting up two goals to take a 4-3 lead in the span of 29 seconds.

“We started off on the losing end of it,” explained head coach Mark Coletta. “It wasn’t like Selkirk sat back, we took control of that third period.”

Unfortunately, with a minute and a half left, a bad bounce led to one of Selkirk’s two shots going in — tying the game and taking it to overtime. And in overtime, the momentum seemed to dissipate as the Saints controlled the pace of play, outshooting SFU 8-2.

Brandon Sookro — who scored the tying goal for Selkirk — found the back of the net again in the last minute of three-on-three action, leaving SFU with just the one point.

Despite the disappointing final result — a 5-4 loss — Coletta is proud of the way the team played.

“We did really well to battle to get the lead,” he said. “We’ve got to find a way to play like we did in the third period tonight for 60 minutes. I think if we play like that for the rest of the season, we don’t give up too many goals and we don’t lose.”

The game started slow for SFU, with Seth Schmidt scoring twice in the first ten minutes for Selkirk College. Mak Barden put the Clan on the board, deflecting Austin Adam’s shot with 8:46 left in the frame.

Both second period goals were scored on the power play. Selkirk regained a two-goal lead 7:34 into the period, with Jack Mills’ goal. Brandon Tidy cut the deficit, deflecting Darnel St Pierre’s shot with 6:27 remaining.

It wasn’t until nearly 11 minutes into the third that Tyler Basham was able to tie up the game from a pass from Nic Holowko. Just 29 seconds later, however, Barden scored his second of the night to give SFU the 4-3 lead.

SFU outshot Selkirk College 32-25. Lyndon Stanwood made 20 saves (.800 SV%).

With the loss, SFU now sits seven points back from Selkirk College, who are in second place.

On Saturday, SFU will return home to take on the first-placed Trinity Western Spartans, who are on an 11 game winning streak.

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 HockeyTV. Puck drop is at 7 pm.

Three Stars:
1st Star: SEL #11 Brandon Sookro (2G, 1A, GWG)
2nd Star: SEL #6 Logan Styler (0G, 2A)
3rd Star: SEL #77 Seth Schmidt (2G, 0A)

AROUND THE BCIHL: The Mariners went two-for-two in the VIU-UVic home and home this weekend, defeating the Vikes 7-1 in Nanaimo. Eleven Mariners put up points, and goaltender Brett Clark was nearly perfect, making 37 saves on 38 shots (.974 SV%).