SFU raises Championship banner, goes on offensive vs. TWU Spartans

Simon Fraser University opened their 2011 season on Saturday night the same way they ended the 2010 campaign: with a big win on home ice. On the same night that they raised to the rafters the championship banner they claimed in March, the Clan scored early and often in a 10-2 victory over Trinity Western.

Former Surrey Eagles captain Derek Henderson opened the scoring for SFU at the 12:49 mark of the first period, while Ben Van Lare doubled the lead a minute later. And the Clan struck twice more before the end of the period on goals by team captain Chris Hoe and rookie forward Tony Oak.

Kye Benjaminsen put the Spartans on the baord in the opening minute of the second period with a nifty finish on a breakaway, but SFU replied with markers from Barry Moscone and Van Lare to take full command of the game.

Trent Murdoch and Tadz Brown each netted their first of the season midway through the third, with Van Lare completing his hat trick late in the game.

Evan Kurylo claimed the win in goal with a 16-save effort, while reigning BCIHL Goaltender of the Year John-Paul Chapman allowed 10 goals on 42 shots.

Both SFU and TWU move on to face Interior opponents in home-and-home series next weekend, with the Clan taking on Okanagan College and the Spartans meeting up with Thompson Rivers.

NOTES: Van Lare has now struck for hat tricks in league openers in back-to-back years... he also scored three in SFU's 2010 debut against the University of the Fraser Valley. SFU's 10 goals matched their season-high from a year ago when they put 10 pucks past Selkirk College on January 7th. TWU last allowed 10 goals in a February 19th, 2010 defeat to the University of Victoria.