by Austin Cozicar

BURNABY, BC — SFU’s new additions came up big, with Jacob Lacasse and Mateo Coltellaro each earning points in their first game, en route to a 5-3 win over the University of Victoria Vikes in SFU’s first game of 2020.

“They were chomping at the bit to get in all semester, so they were hungry,” says head coach Mark Coletta of the new players.

“I was happy to get in there, been waiting a couple of months, and it felt good,” says Coltellaro. “I was very confident in what I can do, and I just wanted to show everyone.”

It was all SFU first period, with SFU putting up 22 shots and holding UVic to just six.

Mitch Ledyard opened the scoring on the power play 4:38 in, assisted by Ty Westgard and Mac Colasimone.

On a 2-on-1, Lacasse earned his first point with a perfect pas, setting up Daniel Rubin for his second career BCIHL goal to make it 2-0 less than a minute later. Adamu Tanaka also got an assist.

UVic got one back in the second period, with Brandon Volpe cleaning up a rebound on the power play 6:43 in.

With 3:13 left in the frame, Coltellaro restored the two-goal lead with his first career goal. Arjan Cheema and Arjun Badh were credited with the helpers.

Just 39 seconds later, Colasimone added to the lead, scoring on a shorthanded breakaway, with helpers from Westgard and Domenic Masellis.

Kenny Britton put UVic within two with his goal 8:46 into the third.

With their net empty and with a power play, UVic briefly made it a one goal game, with Sawyer Hunt potting a goal with 1:18 left to reduce SFU’s lead to 4-3.

But SFU held on, and Westgard’s empty netter closed the deal.

With three points on the game, Westgard continued a nine-game point streak and has had three or more points in each of the last three games.

“My confidence has gone up a bit, I’m playing with great players, and it just seems like stuff is going in right now,” says Westgard.

“He’s just finding his groove, he’s moving his feet, and he’s using his body too. He’s a big boy and he can play this game at a pretty high level, so we’re happy with him, and he’s going to get ice time when he does that,” says Coletta.

Goaltender Patrick Zubick made 23 saves on 26 shots (.885 SV%).

With the win, SFU continues a three game winning streak and has points in the last four games.

Next week, SFU looks to hand Trinity Western their first loss of the season in a home and home matchup, that starts Thursday at the Langley Events Centre before heading to the Bill Copeland Sports Centre on Saturday.

“We’ve got to get the puck out of our zone quick and attack with speed, that’s our focus for next week,” says Coletta.

Puck drop is at 7 pm for both games.

Three Stars:
1st Star: SFU #16 Mateo Coltellaro (1G)
2nd Star: SFU #21 Ty Westgard (1G, 2A)
3rd Star: SFU #9 Mac Colasimone (1G, GWG)

AROUND THE BCIHL: Selkirk College snapped an eight game losing streak with a 4-2 win over VIU. Tayden Woods’ two goals led the way for the Saints. VIU and Selkirk College play again tonight.