WolfPack captures SAIT Eyeopener Tournament title with unbeaten weekend

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The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack have become the first B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League team to win the SAIT Icebreaker tournament.

The WolfPack won the 25th edition of the Calgary tournament with a 4-1 win over the host school---the SAIT Trojans.

"This was a bit of retribution after what happened to us here last year," said TRU head coach Don Schulz, referring to the 2012 tournament where his club lost six players -- including one for the entire season -- with injuries.

The WolfPack led 1-0 after the first period and had a 3-1 advantage after 40 minutes. Thompson Rivers was led by Josh MacDonald, who scored twice. Singles goals came from newcomers Brodie Gibbon and Silvan Harper. Gibbon played with the BCIHL champion Selkirk Saints last season while Harper toiled for the BCHL's Merritt Centennials.

Duncan Schulz had two assists for TRU, who got stellar goaltending for a second straight night. This time, it was Stephen Wolff, as the former Selkirk player handled 51 shots as the Trojans outshot TRU 51-30 in the contest.

"Stephen was outstanding -- both he and Chris Solecki gave us excellent goaltending in the tournament," said Schulz.

The WolfPack went with what they consider to be their principal line up for next weekend’s start of the BCIHL regular season.

"I thought our four lines were really pushing the opposition tonight," said Schulz. "We lost Travis Herlein to an injury and were down to four defencemen. I thought Scott Bollefer, Ben Bula, Alex Martin  and Ryan Cuthbert did a great job logging a lot of ice time."

The WolfPack open up the regular season in Victoria next Friday and Saturday night.

"I'm really optimistic about what sort of team we are going to have," said Schulz. "The trials and tribulations of my first two years here seem so far away when I look at the prospects that we have on this team and how we played this weekend. We beat and tied two of the best collegiate teams in the country. It's great for the guys."

The WolfPack’s home opener is Friday, October 4th at Memorial Arena. It's an 8:30 PM puck drop against the Trinity Western University Spartans