Mattias Schmitt sets Spartans scoring record in road victory over Eagles

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With a pair of assists, Trinity Western University forward Mattias Schmitt broke the men’s hockey team’s all-time points record, passing Josh MacKnee for top spot, in a 7-1 win over Eastern Washington University on Saturday at the EWU Recreation Centre.

Schmitt’s two assists put him at 72 career points, including 28 goals and 44 assists, and moved him ahead of MacKnee, who had 71 career points, including 30 goals and 41 assists in 50 games from 2007 to 2009.

The record-breaking night came in a game that saw the Spartans (13-7-0-2) explode for six second-period goals en route to a six-goal victory over EWU (3-16-0-2).

The loss officially eliminates the Eagles from post-season contention.

Prior to Saturday’s game, TWU had scored five or more goals on seven different occasions this year, but had yet to hit the seven-goal plateau. The victory gives the Spartans all four points from a road weekend in Washington and sees TWU move within three points of second place Selkirk with two games remaining.

With SFU beating the Saints in a shootout Saturday, TWU can no longer catch the first place Clan. TWU’s Florian Niedermaier scored twice for the Spartans while Jamie Russell, Blair Murphy, Matthew Vela, Dirk de Waal and Grange Gordon tallied singles. Twelve different Spartans finished the game with at least a point.

Brett Matthews was the Eagles lone goal-scorer.

Spartans' goalie Silas Matthys stopped 20 of the 21 shots he faced. Austin Brihn stopped 25 of the 32 shots he faced for EWU.

The Spartans were one for three on the power play while EWU was held off the scoresheet on its lone man-advantage.

“We haven’t had an explosion of offense like that for a long time, so it was good for the guys to get some confidence that way,” said Spartans coach Barret Kropf. “I thought overall it was a pretty solid 120-minute effort this weekend and everybody was disciplined and stayed focused and did the things we need to do to be successful. I’m really happy and proud of the boys for their efforts.”

After a scoreless first period, Murphy opened the scoring at 7:10 of the middle frame, which launched the Spartans offensive onslaught. At 13:15, Russell doubled TWU’s lead and, from there, the Spartans scored four more times before the end of the period, which included a run of five goals in 5:33.

Matthews broke Matthys’ shutout bid in the third period before Gordon rounded out the scoring with 21 seconds left in the game.

The Spartans will play Selkirk College on Feb. 27 at the Langley Events Centre before finishing the regular season on Mar. 4 against Victoria at the George Preston Arena. TWU will honour its graduating seniors prior to next Saturday’s home game against the Saints.