CASTLEGAR, BC — The season debut started flawlessly Friday for the SFU Men’s Hockey Team. Sophomore Daniell Lange scored the first goal of the 2017/18 BCIHL season just 1:04 in. They would add two more to enter the first intermission with a 3-0 lead.

However, the Selkirk College Saints took control of the game in the second period, and scored six consecutive goals in the second and third frame to take the season opener 6-3.

“We just weren’t mentally prepared to go out in the second period and do the same things we did in the first period,” said head coach Mark Coletta. “Selkirk pushed back, and we just let them. So the mental side of the game’s got to get tougher.”

Defenceman Mathew Berry-Lamontagna put up SFU’s second goal of the night with 2:25 left in the first, with assists from Austin Adam and Tyler Basham.

Just 27 seconds later, Eric Callegari notched his first BCIHL goal to put SFU up 3-0. Brendan Lamont and Brandon Tidy put up helpers.

Mak Barden also received an assist on Lange’s opening goal.

Saints rookie Derek McPhail, who would finish the night with two goals, started the Selkirk comeback 2:08 into the second frame.

Penalties gave SFU problems, as Selkirk scored their second goal on the power play and their third on four-on-four play. SFU had to play down two men twice in pivotal times — including down 5-3 at the start of the third period.

The Clan also struggled on the power play, going 0-for-8 on the man advantage.

Dallas Calvin stopped any chance of a comeback, putting in an empty netter with 41 seconds left to end the game 6-3 for the Saints.

Goaltender Lyndon Stanwood made 17 saves on 22 shots (.773 SV%). SFU outshot Selkirk College 30-23.

SFU will look to rebound against Eastern Washington tonight in Cheney, WA. Last season, the Clan were undefeated against the Eagles. Eastern Washington contains one of the BCIHL’s most dangerous forwards, Beau Walker.

“We expect them to play a tough game against us. It’s [their] home opener. We’ve got to be prepared to play 60 minutes,” said Coletta.

Puck drop is at 7:30 pm, and it will be streamed live on HockeyTV.

Three Stars:
1st Star: SEL #22 Dallas Calvin (1G, 3A)
2nd Star: SEL #72 Derek McPhail (2G, 0A)
3rd Star: SEL #77 Seth Schmidt (1G, 1A)

AROUND THE BCIHL: Trinity Western handed the reigning BCIHL Champions, University of Victoria, a 6-3 loss in the Victoria home opener. Veterans Dirk de Waal and Florian Niedermaier both put up two goals. The Spartans outshot the Vikes 29-18.