SFU picks up big win in Langley, snaps TWU bid for BCIHL win streak record

---

Trinity Western University suffered its first loss of the season on Thursday evening, falling to Simon Fraser University by a 6-3 score at the Langley Events Centre.

Kyle Bergh had a hat-trick for the SFU (8-5-0-2), while Eric Callegari, Mateo Coltellaro and Takato Cox picked up singles. Spencer Gerth, Travis Verveda and Jordan Bogress replied for TWU (12-1-0-0), with Lucas Mills making 21 saves in the loss.

"We knew SFU would come out on fire, and the first couple periods they really took it to us," says TWU assistant coach Chris Trendall. "They had a couple power-play goals which meant we had to re-adjust, but our guys battled much harder into the second half of the game. In the end we have to give credit to them for picking up the win. Now we have 36 hours to be ready to go for the next one."

Less than five minutes into the game it was the visitors who struck first, when Callegari beat Mills with a wrister on the powerplay to make it 1-0 SFU. TWU however quickly responded, with Gerth scoring off a Kade Vilio deflection just outside the crease to pick up his first goal of the season and tie it 1-1.

The Clan then regained their lead with five minutes remaining in the period, after Spartans goaltender Mills got tied up with Elijah Vilio before Bergh potted his first of the game to make it 2-1 SFU. Bergh then added another on the powerplay with just 1:12 remaining in the first, receiving a cross ice pass from Cox before deking around the challenging Mills to make it 3-1.

Simon Fraser continued rolling offensively in the second period, with Bergh picking up the hat-trick with a goal line deflection at 6:47 to make it 4-1. Coltellaro then pushed the Clan lead to 5-1 nine minutes later, scoring off a slapshot and beating Mills on the glove side. The Spartans then got one back late in the third on a 5-on-3 powerplay, when Verveda fired a one-timer past Zubick to make it 5-2.

TWU then cut the lead to two goals in the third period, after Bogress took a Trent Vilio no-look pass and fired a wrist shot short side past Zubick with just under seven minutes left to make it 5-3. Despite the late push, the Spartans comeback would fall short, as Cox would add one more in favour of the Clan late as they held on for the win.

"We were good from the get-go on the forecheck, and we were good playing high-pressure hockey,” says SFU head coach Mark Coletta. "I thought we did a good job to play physical in areas where we needed to, and we got good goaltending. Using our team speed is always going to be an asset of ours. I think if we can ramp up the physical play, and play good defensive zone hockey, we’ll be fine because our guys are gifted enough to score goals."

Simon Fraser goaltender Patrick Zubick made 32 saves to pick up his fifth win of the season (5-3-0-0). The Spartans converted on one of six power-play opportunites, while Simon Fraser went 2 for 10.

"We need to keep things simple next game," says Trendall of Saturday's rematch between the teams. "There were a bunch of turnovers by the blueline we need to improve on. At times were able to get pucks deep and get some shots off behind the defence, but we need to keep it simple, stay disciplined, stay out of the box and be ready from the start."

A Spartans win would have matched the BCIHL record of 13-straight in the same season, which Selkirk College accomplished during the 2012-13 campaign.

TWU is now 1-3 against Simon Fraser this season, with its last win against the Clan coming Nov. 28 (4-3 OT). It was the SFU's first win in Langley since Jan. 3, 2019 (5-4).

The Spartans head to Burnaby to take on Simon Fraser in a rematch Saturday at 7:00 PM at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre.