Weekend Preview: Clan hope to bounce back from shutout loss on Island swing

Simon Fraser University will look to jump right back on the horse this weekend following a shutout loss at the hands of Trinity Western last Friday night in Langley. The Clan will hit Vancouver Island for a two-game road swing that includes stops in Victoria and Nanaimo.

On Friday, SFU visits a Vikes squad that is looking to turn their first half around following a slow start that has seen them drop seven straight. The problems have been plural for Victoria during that streak, as their offence has accounted for just 11 goals while they've allowed 29.

Their most recent setback was a 7-2 road loss at VIU that saw them open the scoring but surrender six straight, including four during a tough 14-minute stretch during the second period. Special teams has been a big part of their struggles, as they've generated just two goals on the power-play while allowing 14 goals while shorthanded.

Bright spots for the Vikes include the play of linemates Otis Goldman and Landen Matechuk, who lead the team with seven points each. Goldman has done his part with four points in three November games, and has accounted for five of his team's 25 goals overall.

Saturday, the Clan will take on a Mariners team that they soundly defeated in back-to-back games on home ice to open the month. SFU took those contests by 8-3 and 6-3 scores, holding in check a VIU offence that had found success on a nightly basis in October.

The Nanaimo squad boasts the league's top four scorers in Brett Witala, Dallas Calvin, Garrett Dunlop and Alex Milligan. The quartet has combined for 54 points, with Calvin the only one of the group to play in all of the team's nine games.

Brett Clark has been steady between the pipes for VIU thus far with a 4-1-0-0 record, but his lone loss was at the hands of SFU in Burnaby.

Friday's game in Victoria is slated for a 7:30 PM faceoff while Saturday's contest in Nanaimo is set for 7:15 PM. Both games will be broadcast live on Hockey TV.