WolfPack back on winning track following home triumph over Trinity Western

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Thompson Rivers University defeated Trinity Western on home ice 5-2 on Saturday night thanks to a strong second period performance. The W can be attributed to two-goal performances by team captain Curtis Tonello and first-year centre Tyler Jackson. Nathan Michaels rounded out the scoring for the WolfPack.

TRU opened the game with a first strong shift, putting the pressure on Trinity early on and establishing strong offensive penetration for the first five minutes.

"We still have a ways to go in terms of consistency," said head coach Don Schulz. "The boys played an okay first period, had a good second, but took the foot off the throttle in the third." 

The ‘Pack rushed the net and had no lack of chances, but were unable to capitalize on a 5-on-3 power play early on in the first. As a result, Trinity was first on the scoreboard when TRU made a mistake on the penalty kill. Tyler Jackson fought Jaymie Kreller hard against the boards and got the puck out of the corner, throwing it out front for Nathan Micheals to shoot past Tim Zwiers, who was in goal for TWU. The first period ended 1-1.

There were three ‘Pack goals scored in the second when the boys rallied together and moved the puck at a much quicker pace. The second point of the game for TRU was a gorgeous goal by Tyler Jackson to finish off the shift for his line with passes from Rigby Burgart and Jarrett Martin. Kamloops’ born and raised Jackson took advantage of the extra man and got the third goal for the ‘Pack shortly after. He was set up Delong after some great puck movement into the TWU zone.

"I was most happy with Jacksons’ line," said Schulz. "They showed a good level of tenacity throughout and were the most consistent. The other lines had moments in the game where they were strong and dominated play as well."

TRU’s fourth goal of the evening was scored by WolfPack captain Curtis Tonello when he put the puck into the back of the net after a pass from Jarrett Martin. Jackson and Tomassetti were strong on the faceoff giving TRU plenty of opportunity to control the puck and game in the second. Jared Martin played a physical period and used his body to push around the Spartans. The second period ended 4-1.

There was a lone third period goal scored for TRU by Tonello after Michaels brought it out front. Tonello was strong on offence all evening, creating many rushes for his teammates to capitalize on.

Riley Wall manned the goal all night for TRU and stopped a total of 22 shots. He stood strong when TWU’s Jamie Russell was awarded a penalty shot as a result of a tripping call in the third.

TRU’s record improves to 3-2 after defeating TWU and keeping them winless and in last place in the BCIHL standings.

"This game was obviously an improvement over last weekend, but we always seem to find a way to wallow in mediocre," said Schulz, who also noted that injuries continue to leave the 'Pack short of their full line-up.

The first star of the game was TRU’s Tyler Jackson, who got two goals and an assist.

With four tough games coming up, one against Selkirk College and three against Eastern Washington University, Schulz said the ‘Pack will need to step up their play if they want to remain successful and add to their win column.

The WolfPack’s next home game is Nov. 2, 2012 at 8:30 pm against Selkirk College at Memorial Arena.