Spartans return from long break with home match-up vs. Eastern Washington

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The TWU Spartans are back in action after a long reprieve and are ready to take on the Eastern Washington Eagles on home ice this weekend at the Langley Events Centre.

The Spartans and Eagles have met three times already this season, resulting in two Eagles wins and one tie. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game will also be streamed live from the Langley Events Centre website.

Trinity Western Spartans (3-8-2)

Last Games: Okanagan 6-2 L
2010-2011 BCIHL Record: 10-12-2, 5th
2010-2011 BCIHL Playoffs: 1-2, 4th

Trinity Western has been inactive since their game against the Okanagan Coyotes on Dec. 2, 2011. In this game in Kelowna, B.C., the Spartans struggled in second and third periods, resulting in a 6-2 Okanagan win.

In the first period the Spartans made the first move and took an early 1-0 lead when Matt Chaput buried the puck on the power play. The lead lasted for six minutes before the Coyotes answered with their own power play goal to tie the game at 1-1 halfway through the first, followed by the go ahead goal in the second half of the period. The Spartans replied with a Trevor Beaupre goal before the end of the period, but this would be the last time the Spartans hit the back of the net.

In the second and third periods the game belonged to the Coyotes, as they added four unanswered goals to the two they got in the first period. At the end of sixty minutes it was a 6-2 Okanagan win. Tim Zwiers earned 35 saves in the losing effort, while Brandon Long had two assists.

Despite the loss, the Spartans Kye Benjaminsen was named the BCIHL November Rookie of the Month on the strength of his six goals and three assists in the month.

Eastern Washington University (5-8-1)

Last Games: Victoria 5-0 L, 3-1 W
2010-2011 BCIHL Record: N/A
2010-2011 BCIHL Playoffs: N/A

The Eagles have been prone to streaks this season, culminating in their current 5-8-1 record. Their last games before the holiday break resulted in a split against the University of Victoria.

In the first game of two, the Eagles played in Victoria on Dec. 10, 2011. The first period was a scoreless affair, despite two Victoria power plays that were unproductive. It was not until the second period that the Eagles opened the scoring with a Shane Horlacher goal just past the halfway point of the game. Victoria replied with a goal of their own to close out the second period.

The third period saw a number of penalties to the Eagles, but despite the disadvantage Eastern Washington capitalized on their chances, resulting in a late period goal followed by an empty net clincher as the game ended with a 3-1 Eagles win.

In the rematch, the two teams expressed their dislike for each other which resulted in an extremely undisciplined game. In the second and third periods game misconducts and fighting majors were handed out liberally, resulting in a list of player penalties, as well as goalie changes on both sides. Throughout the scrum, the Eagles were not on their game. The Eagles goalies were pummeled with 49 shots and Eastern Washington wound up shut out 5-0 by Victoria.

You can follow more Spartans action through Twitter @TWUSpartans or on the Spartans YouTUBE site www.youtube/spartansSID or online at gospartans.ca.