Simon Fraser returns hom with three points from weekend trip to Okanagan

Simon Fraser University picked up three of a possible four points in Kelowna this weekend, earning a 5-3 victory and a 4-4 tie against Okanagan College to creep within four points of clinching the B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League's regular season title.

On Friday, SFU followed up a scoreless first period by exploding for five goals in a wild middle frame. Jaime Laprise, Craig Munro, Barry Moscone, Mat Tzetzos and Andrew Graham did the damage offensively, while a pair of late period fights puncuated a heated 20 minutes.

Justin Mulholland had his shutout bid spoiled early in the third on a Kyle Vestner goal, but the BCIHL's wins leader improved to 13-2 with a 34-save performance.

On Saturday, the Crusaders spoiled SFU's try at a series sweep with a three-goal third period comeback that was capped by a Sasha Golin tally with 8:49 remaining in regulation.

Simon Fraser had taken a 2-0 first period lead on goals from Anthony Ferrari and Paul Moscone and extended their advantage to 4-1 at the 11:25 mark of the third on a Jake Bouma effort, but the Okanagan comeback began moments later.

Nick Mangan got the call on Saturday and made 26 saves to draw his record on the season to 2-0-2. Meanwhile, Bouma and Ferrari each picked up their first goals since joining SFU at the beginning of the month.

Simon Fraser is now idle until February 5th when they begin a two-game weekend series in Kamloops against the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack.