Spartans outshoot SFU on the road but can't solve Stanwood in shootout loss

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Despite outshooting Simon Fraser University by a 44-29 margin, Trinity Western University lost 3-2 in a shootout Saturday at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre.

The Spartans' Jamie Russell sent the game to overtime with a third period marker, but after a scoreless extra session, the Clan’s Brendan Lamont was the lone goal-scorer in the shootout, giving SFU (15-5-0-0) the victory.

The shootout loss drops TWU to 11-7-0-2. The Spartans are now four points behind second-place Selkirk and six points back of SFU for top spot in the BCIHL.

The Spartans' Andrew Wheeler opened the scoring in the second period before SFU’s Brandon Tidy and Lamont responded to give the Clan a 2-1 lead through 40 minutes. TWU’s Aaron Oakley made 27 saves in the loss while SFU’s Lyndon Stanwood stopped 42 of the 44 shots he faced.

The Spartans' PJ Buys, Deryk Kirchner, Mattias Schmitt and Dirk de Waal each picked up assists. It was Kirchner’s first assist of the season in his first game of the year while Schmitt now leads the team with 23 points, including seven goals and 16 assists in 20 games.

“I thought our guys played a really good 60 minutes,” said Spartans coach Barret Kropf. “I think it was a really complete game for us. Oakes battled and gave us a chance to win. I think all of our lines were chipping in and being effective."

“There are a few little areas to work on and fine tune before the playoffs, but getting one point tonight was quite important for us so we can maintain an opportunity to finish in second place and have home ice advantage for the first round of the playoffs.”

The Spartans, who have now lost three straight games, with all three coming against SFU, are back on the ice Feb. 19-20 when they travel to play Eastern Washington.