Trinity Western University forward Matt Vela scored at 7:15 of the first overtime period to lift the third place Spartans to a 5-4 overtime victory over second place Simon Fraser University on Saturday night at the George Preston Rec Centre in Langley, B.C.
The victory gives the Spartans a sweep of the Clan in the best of three BCIHL semi-final.
“Vela getting the overtime goal tonight was indicative of his play both last night and tonight,” commented TWU head coach Barret Kropf on the game winner.
“It’s good to get a team win when everyone is doing the things that they need to be doing. We continue to be a lunch bucket brigade of guys who keep things as simple as we can with as much hard work as we can and getting the job done. So when you get a team win with a 60 plus minute effort it makes me pretty proud of the guys. And it is a well-earned trip back to the finals.”
“Grange Gordon, Vela and Brett Wur were just buzz saws all series and gave us good checking match-ups and were able to contribute on the board as well. Their speed helped carry some shifts and create momentum. So when you are getting scoring throughout your lineup it is a great sign of team play and I’m very proud of the guys tonight.”
The two teams were evenly matched with both goalkeepers having solid games. TWU’s Silas Matthys turned away 39 shots to earn the victory for the Spartans, while SFU’s Jordan Liem stopped 40 shots in the loss.
With a number of players back in the lineup, TWU found its offence again as they outshot SFU 45-43, despite having five less power play opportunities. The Spartans penalty killing unit had a strong night as they fended off 10 of 11 Clan opportunities. TWU’s power play had a much better percentage, finishing 1-for-6 with the man advantage.
TWU’s PJ Buys got the Spartans on the scoreboard first with a goal at 9:03 of the opening period. But the Clan answered with goal by Tyler Bashan at 11:53 and a power play marker at 14:25 by Adam Callegari to give SFU a 2-1lead after 20 minutes of play.
The second period saw two goals by both teams. SFU’s Tyler Basham scored at 2:41 to give the Clan a 3-1 lead, But the Spartans stormed back with a goal by Kaleb Denham at 4:21, followed by a power play marker from Florian Niedemaier at 6:55 to tie the game at 3-3.
SFU’s Adam Callegari got his second of the night to put the visitors up 4-3 heading into the final period. The two teams exchanged 10 shots on net in the final period, but as the clock ran down TWU was having trouble getting the equalizer. The with 1:29 remaining in the game TWU’s Jamie Russell, with assists to Jacob Mills and Blair Murphy, tied the game at 4-4 and forced the game into overtime.
The Spartans will now advance to the BCIHL championship series next weekend against the winner of the Victoria Vikes and the Selkirk Saints.
“We look forward to getting some rest and a bit of recovery over the next couple of days and get ready for either UVIC or Selkirk.”
Game Notes: TWU finished in first last season, but were swept by the Clan in the opening round of the play-offs.
VICTORIA
SIMON FRASER
VANCOUVER ISLAN.
LOGAN LAKE
OKANAGAN
