Clan move closer to second place with big home ice victory over Selkirk

It didn’t take Simon Fraser University forward Spencer Unger very long to get things going for the home team, scoring his fourth goal of the season just past the two-minute mark of the first period as the Clan skated to a 4-1 win over Selkirk College on Friday in Burnaby.

Mak Barden gave SFU a two-goal lead before the end of the first period, and Austin Adam and Mathew Berry-Lamontagna put the game out of reach with markers early in the third period. Saints forward Jack Mills scored to spoil any hopes of a Lyndon Stanwood shutout with 6:54 remaining in regulation.

Stanwood stopped 31 of 32 (.968 SV%) to help secure the win for SFU while Patrick Zubick allowed four goals on 35 shots between the pipes for Selkirk.

Clan head coach Mark Coletta was pleased with the win but unhappy with his team's lack of focus at certain points in the game.

"I’d like to see our guys be a little more disciplined, but boys will be boys," he explained. "If they’re going to be in your face and up front, then our guys have to be able to respond accordingly and not take the dumb penalties."

"That’s a big, physical team and they’re going to play that style. I think hockey has always been like that, our guys just have to make sure they manage their emotions and stay out of the box."

Coletta expects a similar type of game when the teams meet again in Castlegar next Friday, with second place in the league standings on the line.

"I think it’s going to be the same style of hockey. It’s a smaller rink so it’s way more in your face. It’s fast, it’s aggressive, it’s a good environment to play in. I like going up there, the boys love it, it’s loud and it’s a cool place to play, especially when there’s a full barn and I’m sure they’ll have it next week."

Three Stars:

1st Star: SFU #20 Spencer Unger (1G, 0A)
2nd Star: SFU #29 Austin Adam (1G, 0A)
3rd Star: SFU #9 Mac Colasimone (0G, 1A)