TRU looking to grab strangehold on 3rd place in Thursday visit to TWU

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Thompson Rivers University will look to distance themselves from the Trinity Western University Spartans and grab a stanglehold on third place in the B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League standings when they travel to face the Spartans on Thursday at the Langley Events Centre.

The WolfPack are currently one point up on Trinity Western, with their Langley-based opponents having a game in hand. TRU brings a 9-12-1 record into weekend action while the Spartans sport a 9-12-0 record.

The WolfPack have also had to battle a depleted roster of late.

"We've been so banged up and sick that we're finally getting back to a full line-up so we’ve really picked up our practice intensity and worked hard to improve some lost conditioning," said WolfPack head coach Don Schulz. "I've incorporated a new wrinkle into our forecheck so we've been working on that as well."

TRU has had trouble finding the win column in the second half of the season but Schulz is hoping they can rectify that situation with two games left before the BCIHL playoffs.

"This term has really been tarnished with off-ice issues so we have had to re-focus and re-group. Needless to say, I’m really getting the players to believe in what's left in the room to focus and celebrate our team as it is."

"We bounced back from a really poor outing against UVIC and played Selkirk to a shootout loss. If we play like we're capable of, as shown against Selkirk, we could be a dangerous team in the playoffs. The game against Trinity will more or less determine who will finish third."

The WolfPack coach adds that the teams match up evenly.

"Whoever wants it most will likely be the winner," he says.

TRU has three players in the top 15 in BCIHL scoring. Duncan Schulz stands in sixth place with 12 goals and 20 assists. That is one point ahead of teammate Joshua MacDonald. Tyler Berkholtz is 15th with 10 goals and 14 assists.

Goaltender Mike Meniccucci stands fifth in goals against average at 3.69 with two wins and three losses and a save-percentage of .894.

Schultz says the second half of the year has been frustrating.

"Last term was one of success. This term started out that way but has resulted in being a very trying one to put it mildly. To our frustration, it has largely been influenced by factors outside our control. For the graduates, to the hockey staff and more importantly, all the players it would be most rewarding if we could put our best foot forward and finish this season playing to our potential and full capacity. If we could achieve that, I like our chances."

Game time is Thursday at 7:00 PM.
After Thursday's, the WolfPack finish their regular season on Saturday, March 1st in Victoria against UVIC.