Weekend Preview: TWU on the hunt for first with Island road swing on deck

After a slow start to the schedule that has seen them play just seven games through as many weeks of regular season action, Trinity Western University will look to take full advantage of their opportunity to take over top spot in the B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League this weekend.

The Spartans will cross the Georgia Strait for games against the University of Victoria and Vancouver Island University, starting to cut into the excess of games in hand they've built up over the rest of the league. TWU is currently tied with SFU for second place, one point ahead of Selkirk and one behind VIU, but all three opponents have played three more games than the defending BCIHL champions.

On Friday, they will take on a UVic squad that's riding a six-game losing streak that's due in large part to some consistent, ongoing defensive struggles. The Vikes have allowed a league-high 47 goals, which averages out at more than five per game. A 4-3 home loss to SFU last Friday saw the team give up a season-high 60 shots, and opponents have averaged over 43 shots per game in four November contests.

There have been bright spots for Victoria, including the play of rookie forward Carter Huber. The former Okotoks Oilers captain has scored in back-to-back games after a slow start offensively and has all the tools to be a consistent top-line performer. Otis Goldman has settled in nicely after two years of NCAA DIII play, and has scored four times in his last four appearances.

Saturday's match-up against in Nanaimo the Mariners will be a battle for first place, though it's unclear who will hold the lead heading into the game. VIU is coming off a big come-from-behind win over SFU that saw them shake off two poor results in Burnaby earlier in the month. The biggest positive to come out of the victory was likely their work in the defensive end, as they held the Clan to a single goal on a first period power-play, and to 30 shots overall.

Dallas Calvin has taken his usual spot atop the league scoring ladder after netting six points in his last two games, and teammates Brett Witala, Garrett Dunlop and Alex Milligan round out the top-four.

The Spartans picked up on overtime win to close out a weekend split at Selkirk College last Saturday, and have the league's highest winning percentage at .857. TWU has a perfect record with starter Jacob Mills between the pipes, as the former back-up to Silas Matthys is now 6-0 with a 1.23 goals-against and .949 save-percentage.

Dustin Deugau is the only defenceman to lead his team in scoring, as his 11 points pace all Spartans skaters. He was held scoreless in TWU's win in Castlegar, breaking a six-game point streak to start the regular season. Forwards Evan Last and Brandon Potomak sit just one point back, and the trio all sit in the Top-10 leaguewide.

Friday's contest in Victoria is slated for a 7:30 PM puck drop while face-off on Saturday night in Nanaimo is scheduled for 7:15 PM. Both games will be streamed live on Hockey TV.