Balyk makes 42 saves as VIU opens road series at Simon Fraser with win

Vancouver Island University opened their two-game weekend series against Simon Fraser University with a strong performance at both ends of the ice on Friday evening as four different Mariners scored in a 4-2 win at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre.

Jeremy Balyk led the way with 42 saves while Brett Witala and Brendan Cherwalk scored timely goals in the third period to earn two points for VIU, who now sit at 5-4-0-2 with a three-point lead on SFU and Selkirk College for second place in the BCIHL standings. The Clan drops to 4-4-0-1.

Cole Plotnikoff opened the scoring for the Clan on a first period power play, but Balyk made 17 saves to hold the lead at one. The Mariners took advantage in the second as Conner Mowatt put the visitors on the board 1:34 in, and Garrett Dunlop gave VIU the lead when he scored with the man-advantage midway through the period.

Witala added an insurance marker early in the third that proved to be crucial, as SFU's Daniel Rubin brought his team back within one with 7 minutes left in regulation. The Clan pressed for an equalizer but were turned away by Balyk until Cherwalk salted away the win with 2:16 remaining.

For Balyk, the win was his fifth of the season. Patrick Zubick made 36 saves in the loss.

The teams are back in action on Saturday afternoon when they wrap up the weekend series with a 3:00 PM matinee start. The game will be available live on Hockey TV.