Titans' head coach Lowdermilk caps hat-trick day with big win

After the Trinity Western University Titans lost three top forwards to academic eligibility issues over a long Christmas break, things looked bleak when a long drive to Kelowna produced a sound 6-1 thumping at the hands of Okanagan College on Friday night.

Saturday’s game was a different story, however. Led by the stellar goaltending of John-Paul Chapman, solid defensive play by Benton Nickel and Tyler Vandergaag, and a three-point night from Josh MacKnee, the Titans reversed the score and beat the Crusaders 5-1.

Cam Johnston opened the scoring with his first goal of the year and Josh MacKnee doubled the TWU lead before intermission. Between some offensive success and killing off several 5-on-3 disadvantages, confidence starting building on the TWU team.

Andrew Heringer and Trevor Beaupre extended the Titans lead to four goals after two periods, and Okanagan's Dekker Mende and TWU's Brendan Elenko traded third period tallies.

The victory was especially pleasing to head coach Dwayne Lowdermilk since it was his birthday and the day he became a grandfather for the first time. So Lowdermilk experienced the best hat trick of his career: a birthday, a win, and a new grandchild.

“It’s the best birthday in 52 years—a natural hat trick, Lowdermilk style,” the coach said.

Take that Gordie Howe.