Trinity Western seeking payback as Vikes visit Langley on Friday

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Trinity Western University will host the University of Victoria this Friday at the Langley Events Centre and will be seeking a little redemption against the Vikes after losing both games of a weekend series in early January.

The Spartans opened the winter semester with 5-4 and 6-4 losses to Victoria on the road and would love to return the favour with the Vikes in town this weekend.

In addition to their Friday tilt with the Vikes, the Spartans will also compete in an exhibition game this weekend against EC Red Bull Salzburg U20 on Saturday at 9:00 PM at the Queen’s Park Arena in New Westminster, B.C. Admission to Saturday’s game is free.

WEEKEND PREVIEW
Friday, Jan. 22 vs. Victoria – 7 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 23 vs. Red Bull Salzburg U20 – 9 p.m.
(Saturday game at Queen’s Park Arena)
WATCH ALL BCIHL REGULAR SEASON ACTION HERE: http://bcihl.fasthockey.com

TRINITY WESTERN SPARTANS (8-5-0-1)
BCIHL Standings: 3rd
Last game: Eastern Washington (6-2 W)
BCIHL Streak: 1 win
BCIHL Form: W-L-L-L-W
2014-15 BCIHL Regular Season Record: 17-5-0-2 (1st)
2014-15 BCIHL Playoff Record: 0-2 (lost in BCIHL semifinal)

SPARTANS NOTES
• The Spartans snapped a three-game losing skid with a 6-2 win over Eastern Washington in the final game of the BCIHL University Showcase.
• TWU’s most recent losing skid was only the second three-game losing streak since coach Barret Kropf took over in 2014. Under Kropf’s watch, the Spartans have never dropped four straight league games.
• The team went 1-1 at the BCIHL University Showcase weekend. The weekend celebrated the league’s 10th anniversary. TWU lost 2-1 against Selkirk before beating EWU.
• Over the showcase weekend, the BCIHL announced 2006-2016 All Decade Teams for each school. The Spartans All Decade Team included forwards Joshua MacKnee, Trevor Beaupre and Mattias Schmitt, defensemen Brad Bakken and Blair Murphy, goalie Tim Zwiers and builder Chuck MacKnee.
• Mattias Schmitt and PJ Buys lead TWU in scoring with five goals and nine assists each.
• Blair Murphy is tied for the league lead in points amongst defensemen, with 12 in 14 games. SFU’s Robson Cramer also has 12 points in 14 games.
• Prior to Sunday’s win over EWU, the Spartans had lost six of seven games, including a pair of exhibition games against NCAA Div. I schools Wisconsin and Nebraska-Omaha.
• After this Friday’s game, TWU only has two more regular season home games at the LEC – Feb. 5th against SFU and Feb. 27th against Selkirk. Due to scheduling conflicts, the team will finish off the regular season with a “home game” against Victoria on Mar. 4th at Langley’s George Preston Arena.

VICTORIA VIKES (5-9-0-1)
BCIHL Standings: 4th
Last game: Selkirk (4-3 L)
BCIHL Streak: 2 losses
BCIHL Form: L-W-W-L-L
2014-15 BCIHL Regular Season Record: 11-10-0-3 (3rd)
2014-15 BCIHL Playoff Record: 0-2 (lost in BCIHL semifinals)

VIKES NOTES
• After their wins over TWU to open the winter semester, Victoria lost both of its games at the University Showcase this past weekend, falling to EWU 7-5 and Selkirk 4-3. The Vikes had a lead in both games. They held a 3-0 lead against EWU in the first period before an Eagles comeback and possessed a 3-2 edge through 40 minutes against the Saints before the Saints scored twice in the third period.
• Fourth-year forward Shawn Mueller leads the Vikes in scoring with seven goals and 11 assists in 15 games. Mueller is the Vikes career leader in points, with 52 goals and 61 assists in 86 games.
• Victoria’s All Decade Team featured forwards Matthew Bell, Brett Sutherland and Brett Campbell, defensemen Joey Marsh and Matt Schultz, goalie Nick Olynyk and current head coach and GM Harry Schamhart in the builder category.
• The last time Victoria was at the LEC, the Vikes lost 6-3. That setback marked the start of a five-game losing streak.