Victoria wraps perfect homestand with 4-2 victory over Cascades

The University of Victoria wrapped up a perfect homestand to start their BCIHL regular season campaign by topping the University of the Fraser Valley for the second time in as many nights, this time by a 4-2 score. 

The scoresheet didn’t stay clear long as UFV’s Matt Ehrenreich was called for tripping just 1:47 into the game. UVic then replied on the power-play when rookie Dennis Pavlina pounced on a rebound after a point shot from Matt Oliphant. Brent Sutherland was credited with the second assist. UVic held the majority of the play for the remainder of the period but despite the pressure the club couldn’t add to their lead. 

UFV levelled the game early in the second period but had trouble staying out of the box once again. Matt Bell capitalized at 6:03 on the powerplay when he deflected a Doug Evans shot stick side on Rhys Chesney. Brent Sutherland was credited with the second assist. The remainder of the period saw both teams exchange power-plays but the penalty kill units held firm and UVic went in to the second intermission up 2-1.

UVic held off the third period surge from UFV for the first half of the stanza before rookie Mark Prest extended the club’s lead at the 10:57 mark. Brent Sutherland fed Matt Bell down low and Prest found himself open in the slot, taking the Bell feed and slotting it past the UFV goalkeeper.

UVic put the game out of reach at 14:44 of the third when, on the powerplay, Brent Sutherland weaved his way into the offensive zone then buried a wrist shot into the top corner stick side on Chesney. Matt Oliphant and Justin Ferreira were credited with the helpers. UFV scored a late shorthanded goal to close the gap but were unable to complete the comeback.

Brent Sutherland returned to form with 1 goal and 3 assists on the night while Matt Bell chipped in with a goal and an assist to take over as the leading scorer in the BCIHL.

UVic went 3/8 on the power play, while UFV was 0/7. The University of Victoria Hockey Club will resume their season on the road next weekend when they face the reigning BCIHL champions SFU on Saturday before meeting UFV once again on Sunday.

Fans can listen to a broadcast of next Saturday’s game vs. SFU by logging on to sfuhockey.com.