New additions pay dividends as SFU opens 2020 with home win over Vikes

Simon Fraser University's new additions came up big in their first game with the program, as Jacob Lacasse and Mateo Coltellaro each picked up points to help the Clan to a 5-3 win over the University of Victoria Vikes in SFU’s first game of 2020.

It was all SFU in the first period with the Clan putting up 22 shots and holding UVic to just six. Mitch Ledyard opened the scoring on the power play at the 4:38 mark, assisted by Ty Westgard and Mac Colasimone. Then, on a 2-on-1, Lacasse earned his first point with a perfect pass to set up Daniel Rubin for his second career goal to make it 2-0 less than a minute later. Adamu Tanaka also got an assist.

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

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

"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."

Clan goaltender Patrick Zubick made 23 saves on 26 shots (.885 SV%) and picked up the win. And with three points on the night, Westgard continued a nine-game point streak that includes three or more points in his last three games.

"Ty is just finding his groove, he’s moving his feet and he’s using his body too," says Coletta. "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."

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. Puck drop is at 7:00 PM for both games.