TRU looks to overtake Spartans for third place in final regular season game

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Thompson Rivers University will close out their B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League regular season schedule on the road Saturday when they face the University of Victoria. Faceoff is set for 12:30 PM.

The 'Pack are gearing up for their fifth-straight appearance in the BCIHL playoffs.

It seems fitting that TRU closes out the regular season on Vancouver Island after having opened the campaign there in late September with a pair of victories (6-1 and 6-5). TRU leads the season series 4-1.

Unfortunately for the 'Pack, it was Victoria who won the last meeting between the two teams. On Valentines Day at Memorial Arena, Victoria skated to a 5-2 victory.

Going into the game, TRU sits in fourth place in the BCIHL standings with nine wins and 13 losses. Victoria, meanwhile, is in the basement with five wins and 13 losses.

WolfPack head coach Don Schulz is amazed the season has gone by so quickly.

"IIt seems like yesterday we were at the SAIT Ice Breaker tourney making history as the first B.C. team to ever win that event. Now we're in preparation for the final league game, so it seems like a blur."

"Contrary to popular belief, TRU athletics is far from over. There are still some weeks left at least for one of the athletic teams. It’s also the fifth straight year of making the playoffs; this team has made the playoffs every year since the the hockey program returned to the university."

With TRU trailing third place Trinity Western by two points, Schulz isn't about to concede the race for third is over.

"There is still an excellent chance that we can finish third and it will be determined this weekend," he says. "We'll need some help from two other teams but we can still finish ahead of Trinity if we win our game and Trinity loses their final two. It's very possible as they play at Eastern Washington on Friday and then finish against Selkirk on Saturday. EWU has played Trinity tough all year and Selkirk is in a first place battle with SFU, so that game will be very meaningful and could be the difference for them."

The coach adds that it is a testament to the competitiveness of the league that playoff spots are still up for grabs going into the final weekend.

The WolfPack have three players in the top 20 in BCIHL scoring. Duncan Schulz is sixth with 12 goals and 21 assists in 20 games. Joshua MacDonald is 8th with 15 goals and 16 assists in 19 games while Tyler Berkholtz stands 15th with 10 goals and 15 assists in 23 games.

UVIC’s top gunners are Shawn Mueller who is 13th (7 goals, 21 assists in 22 games) and Eli Weibe stands 14th (10 goals and 16 assists in 19 games).

Coach Schulz says his squad has been working very hard in practice as they review zone systems and special teams.

"Keys to winning this weekend include goaltending, discipline, work ethic, special teams and zone systems execution. I believe we have more speed and skill so if we execute on the keys we will be successful."

As far as who will start in goal for TRU? That question will remain a mystery until they board the bus on Friday. Mark Menicucci is fourth in the BCIHL in goals against average at 4.00. He has a 2-4 record and a saves percent of .888. Chris Solecki is eighth with a 4-5 record, a goals against average of 4.53 and save-percentage of .876.

Although second term has had its share of tribulations, Schulz is quick to focus on the season’s positives and wants the team to do the same as it heads into the postseason.

"A lot of credit has to go to Chris Hans, who will be stepping down as the General Manager after this season is over. Chris has been phasing himself out of the team's operations this season and I would like to acknowledge his efforts. Without himself, Andre Larouche and Mitch Zulinick there would be no hockey at TRU."

"Chris was the original head coach its first year and has been the team's general manager the last four. This program has been a second full-time job to him. His dedication, commitment and sacrifice not only of himself but his family have been paramount in the program’s success and well being. I would really like to bring home a championship in his last year; the next game is the next step in that process."