by Austin Cozicar

BURNABY, BC — Former Selkirk College Saint Patrick Zubick made 27 saves (.966 SV%) leading SFU to a 2-1 win over his former team, and their sixth straight win.

Zubick was only beat once, early in the game, as Selkirk College’s Dylan Heppler put them up 1-0 1:06 into the game.

The Saints controlled the game early, but SFU found their legs on a power play from a hooking penalty drawn by McKullen Astill 5:14 into the first period. After being outshot 3-1 in the early going, SFU ended the period with a 14-6 shot advantage.

Despite prime scoring chances by Kyle Bergh and Ty Westgard, SFU were held off the scoreboard heading into the first intermission.

SFU didn’t get on the board until nearly 16 minutes into the second frame, when a Jake Keremidschieff laser from the point went in, with assists from Daniel Rubin and Jordan Dawson.

Zubick made a big save seven minutes into the third on a 2-on-0 chance by Selkirk to keep the game tied at one.

Bergh scored the only goal of the third — the game winner with 7:43 left — forcing a turnover and bringing it in alone to put it past Tallon Kramer.

“They went up the middle, and the guy kind of bobbled it, so I just lined it right on my stick, and I looked up and noticed their defenceman went down on one knee, so I kind of figured I had a chance to beat him, and I pulled it back and got around him, so I was super in tight, tried to get it up, and next thing I know I collided with the goalie,” said Bergh.

SFU’s team effort was on full display, with a number of prominent shot blocks, including Mitch Ledyard’s brave play as Selkirk had their goalie pulled.

“Those last five or six minutes we didn’t give them anything, unlike last week,” said head coach Mark Coletta. “We really closed out the game well.”

While Zubick earned the first star, goaltending was strong on both sides, with Selkirk’s Kramer making 32 saves on 34 shots (.941 SV%).

With their sixth straight win, SFU retains sole possession of second place, two points ahead of Vancouver Island University.

SFU gets next weekend off, but will return to action with back-to-back home games February 7 and 8, playing UVic on the Friday and Selkirk College on the Saturday. These will be SFU’s final regular season home games. Puck drop is at 7 pm for both.

Three Stars:
1st Star: SFU #35 Patrick Zubick (27 Saves, .966 SV%)
2nd Star: SEL #1 Tallon Kramer (32 Saves, .941 SV%)
3rd Star: SFU #43 Kyle Bergh (1G, GWG)