Matt Bell nets seven-point game as UVic opens with big win over Cascades

The University of Victoria began their 2010/11 regular season with a bang on Friday, topping the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades by a 7-4 score in B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League action.

UVic gave Ryan Gray the nod in net while UFV countered with Evan Thomas. In what was a night to remember for UVic’s Matt Bell, the scoring was opened by the second-year centre at the 5:29 mark of the opening frame. Following a goal mouth scramble, Bell pounced on the puck after Thomas kicked a rebound into the slot, burying his first goal of the night.

UFV quickly countered two short minutes later before rookie Mark Prest regained the UVic lead at 13:25 in the first stanza. Prest took a Brent Sutherland pass and streaked down the right wing before wiring a shot high short side on Thomas. Matt Bell was credited with the second assist. Two minutes later, another rookie in Dennis Pavlina extended the UVic lead after punching home a short rebound. Bell was credited with the first assist. UVic took a 3-1 lead into the first intermission.

UFV tied the game at 3-3 by the 9:45 mark of the second period before Bell took matters into his own hands. First, he potted his second of the night at the 10:48 mark to regain the lead for UVic. Just three minutes later, he completed his hat trick to send UVic into the second intermission with the 5-3 edge.

Bell wasted no time in picking up where he left off in the third. Just 31 seconds into the period Dennis Pavlina fed Bell who buried his fourth goal of the night. UVic tightened up defensively for much of the last frame before Pavlina put the game out of reach at the 13:07 mark, slotting one past Thomas off of a beautiful feed from Bell.

UFV scored a late goal but were outplayed on the night. Bell finished the night with 4 goals and 3 assists for 7 points while Pavlina impressed his new club with a stellar performance, recording 2 goals and 2 assists for 4 points.

UVic went 2/10 on the power play, while UFV was 0/8.

The University of Victoria Hockey Club will complete their home stand with another contest against the UFV Cascades on Saturday night. Game time is 8:30 at the Ian Stewart Complex Arena.