Thompson Rivers University will take their show on the road this weekend in when they travel to face the University of Victoria in a pair of B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League games on Vancouver Island.
The WolfPack have been one of the hottest teams in the BCIHL since the beginning of the calender year, having picked up points in six consecutive games (4-0-2).
TRU head coach Don Schulz says his squad has turned things around and that last weekend’s games with SFU and Trinity Western were a fine example of their improved play.
"It was encouraging to see how hard the guys worked," he said. "We never gave up in the first game against SFU and then the jump after the short turn around was very nice to see. Conditioning is always a big component of our practices and it paid off. We are also becoming more of a team."
"I'm not a big advocate of fighting but there is a time and place for it and in our game against Trinity, Ben Bula went toe to toe with an opposing player who ran at one of our guys with elbows high and a direct hit to the head. Ben stood up for a teammate and I’ll support that each and every time."
The turnaround in the WolfPack’s performance in 2013 could be tied to an improvement in the team’s penalty killing.
Says Schulz: "Before our trip to Eastern Washington (in mid November), I incorporated a second system on our penalty kill. We worked hard on it and now the guys are able to transition freely from one to the other depending on the opponent’s power play. We’ve also used more regular personnel on the PK and these guys have done a great job."
"Overall, the stats are skewed by four bad games in the first term which account for 15 of our 29 power play goals given up. Not including those four games, overall we are at 72%, second term we are at 91% with five short handed goals. The last six games we are at 98% with five short handed goals and last weekend we were at 100% with four short handed goals. Now it’s a matter of maintaining that performance."
The coach believes the’Pack are starting to come together at the right time as a team.
"We have had some extra team meetings this term," he says. "John Bokla (former player now assistant coach) has put a lot of effort into organizing them and its brought the team together. I ‘ve always quoted John Wooden who said that 'Adversity defines character'. We certainly have had our share of adversity this season with as many as six regulars being out at one time and now the team’s true character is coming through. We are a team on the rise and it’s a good time to do it. This weekend is another huge challenge and opportunity."
The WolfPack’s trips to Victoria and the Ian Stewart Complex have always been memorable -- mostly due to the odd ice times the team has had to face there in the past.
"Going to the Island is always an adventure," states the coach. "Travelling the Coquihalla at this time of year, getting to the ferry on time, the ferry itself, lots of logistics. Travel is travel and our guys are used ot it. It is something one has to deal with as a student/athlete."
The WolfPack enter the weekend with eight wins, eight losses and three ties. Victoria is 7-12-0-1.
"Based on recent scores I would say that Uvic is struggling," stated Schulz. "With that team though, as with any team in this league, one cannot take them lightly. They are on our tail for third place and we intend on keeping it that way. We have to bring our 'A' game for sure."
After these games, TRU returns home to host league leading Selkrik College at Memorial Arena on Friday February 22nd. Puck drop is 8:30 pm.
ICE CHIPS: Schulz on the most improved players this term:
"We are getting a number of players with good performances. A lot has to do with the increased depth that we possess now that we are healthier. The addition of Travis Herlein, Josh MacDonald and Duncan Schulz has been huge. Anthony Delong and Tyler Jackson have been really good. Alessio Tomassetti and Colten De Frias have been steady performers all season. Jarrett Martin and Jake Howardson are tireless workers; all of our D have played well but especially Curtis Tonello and Scott Bollefer. Shane Mainprize was the top goalie in the BCIHL in January and Riley Wall got our first shutout of the season. We are on the rise and it is our intention to stay on this path and get better."
VICTORIA
SIMON FRASER
OKANAGAN
LOGAN LAKE
VANCOUVER ISLAN.
