Photo Credit: Garrett James

BURNABY, BC — Approaching the end of the regular season, and wanting to solidify their BCIHL first place spot, the SFU Men’s Hockey Team exploded offensively to beat the Eastern Washington Eagles 7-1.

“We had to make sure we got those two points, and continue the [first place] lead,” said head coach Mark Coletta.

SFU returned home the night after beating the University of Victoria Vikes 4-0 in Victoria, and got off to a tough start.

“In the first period, we weathered the storm,” he explained. “The second period was tremendous, we really worked the cycle.”

Eastern Washington struck first, taking advantage of an early game power play, with Taylor Bargar scoring just after the two minute mark.

However, SFU quickly found their feet, with Adam Callegari putting SFU on the board with a power play goal of their own near the halfway point of the period. Robson Cramer gave the Clan a lead, scoring his first of the year, on the breakaway.

Eastern Washington came into the second period with some strong pressure, and both teams traded some close chances, but Spencer Unger gave SFU a two-goal lead with his fifth of the year from Callegari and Brendan Lamont. Mike Sandor put up his second goal in three games, and Graham Smerek put up his second goal in as many games to give SFU a commanding 5-1 lead going into the second intermission.

In the third period, Mak Barden scored on a penalty shot after being taken down on a breakaway. Smerek scored his second of the game to close out the scoring shorthanded, with 1:34 to go in the game.

Lamont led the team in points with four assists.

Jordan Liem stopped 14 of 15 shots (.933 SV%). Lyndon Stanwood came briefly into the game after Liem went to the bench on the penalty shot, and made one save on one shot.

Liem and Stanwood have made an impressive goaltending tandem and have combined for 17 wins, and both sit in the top four goaltenders of the BCIHL.

The team’s just been doing really well for us, to be honest. They haven’t pus in any positions where we have struggled,” said Liem. “We [Liem and Stanwood] feed off each other, in practice, we push each other and bounce ideas off each other.”

SFU has a bye week next weekend, and next plays Trinity Western in back-to-back games at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre Friday, March 3 and Saturday, March 4 to close out the regular season. One point would clinch SFU first place.

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 for both games.

Three Stars:
1st Star: SFU #36 Adam Callegari (1G, 2A)
2nd Star: SFU #17 Brendan Lamont (0G, 4A)
3rd Star: SFU #20 Spencer Unger (1G, 1A)

AROUND THE BCIHL: Trinity Western beat a travel-weary UVic 4-1 at the Langley Events Centre in a rare matinee game. Jarrett Fontaine had two goals and an assist. Trinity Western outshot UVic 35-26. Silas Matthys made 25 saves (.962 SV%).