Weekend Preview: Vikes, Eagles hope to end losing streaks in weekend series

Winless in eight games, Eastern Washington University would love to close out the 2017 portion of their regular season schedule with a win. The University of Victoria, meanwhile, rides a six-game losing streak into a two-game series with the only team looking upwards at them in the B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League standings.

Something has to give as the Eagles and Vikes meet twice this weekend in Cheney with no shortage of interesting storylines on deck.

The Eagles have come close a few times but have been stung by bad luck on more than one one occasion. With the exception of a 7-3 loss to SFU on opening night, the squad has played tight on home ice all season but with little to show for it.

In October they dropped three straight one-goal games in succession to Selkirk College (3-2), Vancouver Island University (6-5) and Simon Fraser (5-4). Their last two games have both been narrow home losses to TWU (3-1) and Selkirk (4-2).

Goal scoring has been half the battle for the Eagles despite the usual strong play of leading scorer Beau Walker, who has 12 points through just five games. Linemates Bret Matthews and Colton St. John are close behind with eight each, but no other skater has more than three points.

Rookies forward Will Mix has been a good addition with three goals in seven contests, and  second-year blueliner Austin Breen has three asists in four appearances.

The Vikes have also had a difficult time finding the back of the net, having scored 19 goals as a team in nine games. Jack Palmer has been effective in a set-up role with seven assists in eight games, but the team has struggled in the absence of departed goal scorers Shawn Mueller and Patrick Holland.

One bright light has been the offensive emergence of Landon Matechuk, who has picked up five points in his last three games and is close to surpassing his rookie season points total (7). The SIJHL and NOJHL alum joined the Vikes following a 55-point season as a 20-year old split between English River and Timmins.

With two wins this weekend, Victoria could potentially jump within a point of fourth-place VIU for the BCIHL's final playoff spot. But a sweep at the hands of  EWU would put them in the cellar in the standings.

Friday's game is set for a 7:30 PM start while Saturday's contest faces off at 7:00 PM. Both games will be available on Hockey TV.