SFU closes out fall schedule with Teddy Bear Toss game vs. TWU on Friday

On Friday December 7th, the #CollegeHockeyGivesBack Teddy Bear Toss returns to the Bill Copeland Sports Centre in Burnaby, but with a new twist! At 7:00 PM, Simon Fraser University takes on defending B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League champions Trinity Western University.

Fans are encouraged to bring teddy bears or pajama donations to be collected by Burnaby Community Services Christmas Bureau during the game and distributed to local families in need this holiday season.

Pajamas are a high priority item for children in need, and SFU is calling on all hockey fans to come out and support an important local cause. Teddy bear and pajama donations can be brought from home, purchased online at www.sfuhockey.com, or in the lobby prior to the game.

When the first SFU goal is scored, fans will make it rain teddy bears & pajamas from the stands on to the ice! Simon Fraser University will also donate a portion of tickets purchased online, silent auction, and 50/50 revenue to Burnaby Community Services.

SFU (6-4-0-0) currently sits seven points behind TWU (9-1-0-1) for first place in the BCIHL standings.

The cross-river rivals last met on November 9th in Langley when Spartans netminder Lucas Mills turned aside 32 Clan shots in a 3-0 shutout victory for TWU. The last meeting at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre came back on October 13th when the Spartans skated to a 4-1 victory despite being outshot 29-25 by SFU.

The Clan are returning to the ice following a bye weekend, looking to bounce back form a 2-1 road loss to Vancouver Island University on November 17th. Despite that setback, SFU has won five of their last seven games.

Former Prince George Cougars forward Nicholas Holowko currently leads all SFU skaters with 11 points, while a pair of former BCHLers, Chilliwack Chiefs alum Jaret Babych and former Coquitlam Express forward Mitch Newsome hold the team's goal-scoring lead with 6 and 5 respectively.

Meanwhile, TWU is coming off a weekend split at home to the University of Victoria that saw both games need overtime. The Vikes took the extra point in the opener, while Spartans blueliner Jacob Mills scored the game winner the following afternoon.

The Spartans are led offensively by forward Evan Last, whose 15 points in 11 regular season games this season have him sitting third in league scoring. Defenceman Dustin Deugau is close behind with 14 points, including 12 assists.

December 7th marks the final game of 2018 should offer fans an exciting preview of the action to come in the New Year as teams battle for one of four spots in the BCIHL Playoffs come March.

Friday's game is set for a 7:00 PM faceoff and will be broadcast live on Hockey TV.