Photo Credit: Garrett James
LANGLEY, BC — It was a hard fought game for the SFU Men’s Hockey Team as they outshot the Trinity Western University Spartans 35-28, but despite scoring 22 goals in the three games previous, SFU could only get one past Spartan goaltender Silas Matthys, and fell 3-1.
In a game between the BCIHL’s best offence — SFU has scored the most goals — versus the league’s best defence — Trinity Western has surrendered the least goals — the defence won out in the first period, seeing it go scoreless.
Trinity Western struck first 6:20 into the second frame on a power play goal by former Selkirk College Saint Stefan Gonzales.
Tyler Basham, who returned after missing five games with injury, scored his first of the season to tie the game up with 4:21 left in the period. Jesse Mysiorek and Mak Barden supplied the helpers.
However, Spartan Evan Last — who has been leading the team in points, followed by fellow freshman Jarrett Fontaine — gave the Spartans back the lead just 1:25 later.
SFU pressured hard in the third period, outshooting Trinity Western 11-6 in the frame. However, the Clan were unable to add another on the board, and Fontaine added an empty netter to seal the deal for the Spartans with 1:36 left in the game.
The game marked Matthys’ 30th win, setting the record for most BCIHL wins by a goaltender, breaking former Clan netminder Andrew Parent’s record of 29.
SFU goaltender Jordan Liem made 25 saves on 27 shots (.926 SV%).
This marks the first regulation road loss for the Clan, whose only other loss on the road came against UVic in overtime. With the loss, SFU are still in first place with a 7-2-1 record and 15 points, but remain only one point ahead of Trinity Western, who have one game in hand.
The matchup in Langley is the first of six regular season contests between these two teams.
After a nearly month long road stretch, the Clan return home next Saturday to take on the Selkirk College Saints. On the season opener weekend, SFU beat Selkirk 3-2 on the road — their first regulation win in Castlegar since January 12, 2012 — but at their home opener, fell 5-2 to the Saints after allowing five straight goals.
The game marks SFU’s annual Teddy Bear and Underwear Toss, where fans throw teddy bears or unused underwear onto the ice after the first Clan goal, which once collected will be donated to the Lookout Society Surrey, which provides services and assistance to those facing the challenge of homelessness. SFU students get in free with student ID. Puck drop is at 7 pm. The game will also be streamed live on FASTHockey.
Three Stars:
1st Star: TWU #34 Silas Matthys (34 Saves, .971 SV%)
2nd Star: TWU #9 Evan Last (1G, 2A)
3rd Star: TWU #19 Brett Wur (0G, 1A)
AROUND THE BCIHL: No other games were scheduled Friday… the sole game scheduled Saturday night is between Selkirk College and the Eastern Washington Eagles in Castlegar, BC. The Eagles are waiting for their first win, having gone without in nine games played. With a win, Selkirk College will also be within one point of SFU in the BCIHL standings, but have played one more game than the Can and two more than Trinity Western.
