SFU clinches second place, home ice advantage with big road win over VIU

All that Simon Fraser University needed from their final regular season game in Nanaimo on Saturday night was a single point to clinch second place in the B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League standings, but they ended up getting much more than that.

The Clan set the tone for their first round playoff series against Vancouver Island University a week from now by thumping the Mariners on their home ice by a 9-1 score. And with the win, SFU will host third place VIU with Game 1 set for Friday night at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre.

Arjun Badh opened the scoring for the visitors with 4:56 remaining in the first period and Mac Colasimone doubled the lead with 44 seconds left before intermission, despite VIU outshooting the Clan by a 15-10 margin in the frame.

SFU waited until late in the second to extend their lead but struck for two quick goals once they did, as Mathieu Jallabert, in the rink where he played most of his junior hockey with the Nanaimo Buccaneers, and Ty Westgard increased the Clan advantage to four.

The floodgates opened in the third period, with Mitch Ledyard, Takato Cox and Jacob Lacasse each scoring to put Simon Fraser up by a converted touchdown. Kobe Oishi scored shorthanded to put VIU on the board, but McKullen Astill and Jacob Lacasse each added late tallies for SFU.

Patrick Zubick was atsked with the start in goal for the Clan and turned aside 39 shots in the win, while Matt Huber alowed nine goals on 36 shots and recorded the loss.

Lacasse finished the night with three points, while nine other Clan skaters counted two on the evening. That group included Westgard and Colasimone, who moved past TWU's Elijah Vilio into fourth and fifth in league scoring respectively.

VIU won't have to wait long for a rematch, as they will travel to Burnaby to open their first round playoff series against SFU on Friday night. Gametime is set for 7:00 PM.