WolfPack take sole possession of second with sweep of Simon Fraser

Teams in the B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League are finding out what clubs in the WHL knew for years in the 1980’s: Memorial Arena is not an easy place to gain a victory.

The Kamloops Blazers ruled the “Barn on Victoria Street” when they were the principal tenant. The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack are doing the same now that they call Memorial home. The WolfPack are 10-0 on home ice.

They extended that winning streak on Sunday afternoon with a 7-4 win over the first place team in the BCIHL: SFU.

“Another complete game for us this afternoon,” said WolfPack head coach Chris Hans. “Everyone—all four lines contributed and we played within our systems for the victory.”

Thompson Rivers led 4-2 after the first period thanks to two goals from Kevin Hanna (1st year, forward, Cloverdale, BC) along with singles from Casey Patterson (1st year, forward, Chase, BC), Mick Ludvig (1st year, forward, Kamloops, BC). It was 5-3 ‘Pack after 40 minutes thanks to a marker from Tyler Stothert (1st year, forward, Kamloops, BC).

The WolfPack added two goals in the final period courtesy of Jose Reyes (1st year, forward, Kamloops, BC) and team captain David Boychuk (3rd year, defence, Edmonton, Alta). Reyes’ marker came short handed.

“David Boychuk had a great weekend,” Hans explained. “ His maturity and composure contributed greatly to us taking four points from SFU.”

Brock Fraser (1st year, Kamloops, BC) got praise from Hans for his play in the nets. He turned aside 34 shots. Former B.C. Hockey League goalie Justin Mulholland (1st year, Coquitlam, BC) started but was burned for five goals on 22 shots. He was pulled five mintues into the second period in favour of Nick Mangan (1st year, North Vancouver, BC) , who handled 12 shots.

SFU got a pair of goals from Jake Bouma. Others were scored by Jaime Laprise  and Warren Gardner.

The WolfPack are now 12 and 6 on the year and have won four games in a row. They play Okanagan College next weekend in Kelowna. SFU falls to 15-4-2 .

TRU closes out its first regular season in the BCIHL on February 27th and 28th against University of the Fraser Valley.

ICE CHIPS: TRU’s two newest players: Trent Johnston (1st year, defence, Kamloops, BC) and Hanna both contributed. Johnston had one assist in Sunday’s game. Hanna had three goals and one assist this weekend.