Five-goal third period the difference as UBC top SFU in Captains Cup opener

A strong opening 40 minutes from Simon Fraser University put the visiting Clan in a position to upset the University of British Columbia on the road Friday night, but a five-goal third period from the Thunderbirds capped an 8-3 victory in the opening game of the inaugural Captains Cup tournament.

The three-team event, which features SFU, UBC and Trinity Western university, got underway at the Doug Mitchell Sports Centre on UBC's Point Grey campus Friday with the hosts hitting the scoreboard twice in the opening period.

But the Clan battled back in the middle frame, tying the game 2-2 on a pair of Tyler Basham markers before Jayden Piatelli brought the score even again after the T-Birds had gone ahead 3-2.

The third period was all UBC, however, as they piled on five unanswered goals from Manraj Hayer, Chase Clayton, Wes Vannieuwenhuizen and Austin Vetterl (2). The final shots were 41-22.

Rylan Toth picked up the win with 19 saves in goal for UBC, while 2017 BCIHL MVP Lyndon Stanwood took the loss for the Clan.

The Captains Cup continues Saturday when BCIHL rivals SFU and TWU face off at the Surrey Sport and Leisure Complex. Faceoff is set for 7:00 PM.

The third and final tournament game will be played between the Spartans and Thunderbirds on September 30th at UBC.