It wasn’t pretty, but SFU picked up 2 critical wins last weekend against UVIC and Selkirk College, and now carries some serious momentum going into an exciting double-header homestand against top-ranked Vancouver Island University.

RECAP: In a Friday evening showdown in Victoria, SFU finally dominated a first period with 4 unanswered goals, 2 on the powerplay. Mac Colasimone would open the scoring banging in a rebound in close on UVIC netminder Zack Wear. 3 minutes later, Ryker Moreau made it 2-0 in the dying seconds of a powerplay. Mitch Newsome would score his first BCIHL goal late in the period with a nice shot low blocker side after a gritty shift from Graham Smerek and Cole Plotnikoff caused problems for UVIC. Colasimone would add 1 more for good measure in the final minute, another powerplay goal created by a strong forecheck in the offensive zone.

The 2 periods to follow would see a rash of penalties as the two rivals renewed hostilities. UVIC’s Matechuk, Kumar, Voss, Huber and Olson along with SFU’s Jallabert, Smerek, Babych and St. Pierre were all served 10 minute major penalties for their troubles, but SFU would skate to a 5-1 victory, outshooting UVIC 42-24.

The following night, SFU hosted the Selkirk College Saints in a thrilling back-and-forth game that gave the home fans a glimpse of the speed and skill SFU is capable of this season. More penalty trouble had SFU down 2-0 in the first period after goals from Wakaruk and Heppler, but Newsome would keep it close by adding his third of the year during the second period.

SFU and Selkirk traded goals in the third period, as Babych and Berry-Lamontagna came through and kept SFU within one goal of the Saints. With 2 minutes to go and down a man after a boarding call on Babych, Mac Colasimone was sent in on a short-handed breakaway and scored to tie the game.

Newsome would complete the comeback in overtime, scoring his 4th goal in 2 games on the powerplay, giving SFU the win and leapfrogging Selkirk in the standings.

PREVIEW: This weekend, SFU faces off against the top-ranked Mariners for the first time this season. VIU has disposed of UVIC and Selkirk College handily over the last 2 weekends, led by captain Garret Dunlop who has 5 goals in 6 games, joined on the top line by designated setup man Dallas Calvin.

VIU has historically played well against SFU, winning the bulk of their contests last season, so SFU will look to turn the tables on a weekend that serves as the biggest test of the season for the young SFU group. Roster updates will be posted as the weekend nears, but it looks like SFU will get a boost by the return of Spencer Unger who served a 2 game suspension last weekend for a hit from behind penalty against TWU.

Tickets for the Friday November 2nd and Saturday November 3rd matchups are on sale now at www.sfuhockey.com/tickets.