Thompson Rivers looks ahead to crucial double-header weekend vs. TWU, SFU

To say that this weekend's upcoming games against Trinity Western University (Friday, 8:30 PM at Memorial Arena) and Simon Fraser University (Saturday, 8:00 PM at Bill Copeland Arena in Burnaby) are important contests for the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack might be a bit of an understatement.

"We want to have an excellent weekend," says WolfPack head coach Lorne Cumming. "We have identified our goals and how we can achieve them. With a pair of games that will require strong performances from our entire roster it is a great opportunity to test ourselves."

"I don’t think there’s any question that disciplined, intelligent hockey will be what is required to be successful this weekend against Trinity Western and Simon Fraser. Our guys are excited about the challenge and cannot wait to get on the ice and compete."

The WolfPack are enjoying another successful season in this their second year in the BC Intecollegiate Hockey League. The "Pack" are in first place with 24 points on 14 games played (12 win 2 loss) one point ahead of SFU's 23 points on 15 games played (11 win 3 loss 1 tie) and Okanagan College's 23 points on 16 games played (11 win 4 loss 1 tie). Trinity Western sits in 5th place with 13 points on 15 games played (6 win 8 loss 1 tie).

"Our players have been building towards this stretch of games and we’re looking forward to having Trinity Western come into our rink this Friday," says Cumming.  "We have had very close games with them this season, with our game last week turning out to be a four-goal spread in a win that was largely a one period game. It was a 1-1 tie going into the third and I felt our guys made some great plays to pull away at that point."

"We respect Trinity Western and know they are a team that is better than their record. They can win any game their in on any given night and we will need to be our best in order to beat them. We have had a pair of games with TWU that were settled with a one goal difference. We want to play sixty solid minutes against them this Friday to make sure we get the win we’re after. Our guys are ready for as tough game and look forward to the challenge."

One night later, the 'Pack travel to the Lower Mainland for a crucial tilt against the Clan.

"The build up to our second league game against SFU has been exciting, and we look forward to testing our selves against a very strong opponent," Cumming remarks. "We know they are eager to play also and will want to win very badly on home ice in front of their fans. I know our guys have had Saturday night’s game in their minds for quite some time. It should be a great game. We feel our guys have worked very hard and are ready for what will be a big test for us."

"SFU is a strong program that is a leader in this league as an organization. I know our guys look forward to the opportunity to pull on their jerseys and battle through every shift for sixty minutes. When the puck drops Saturday night there will be two teams that are going to do whatever it takes to win the hockey game. I know our guys are looking forward to that."

WolfPack Notes: TRU beat TWU in Langley last weekend (6-2). The two team have become very familiar with each other with Fridays game the third meeting in the month of January. Saturday's game at SFU is the second of four regular season games between the teams. The WolfPack won 7-2 over the Clan on October 29th at Memorial Arena.