Trinity Western looks to keep pace with first place SFU as UVic visits LEC

Trinity Western University will play its final home game of the regular season Saturday, with the University of Victoria in town for a rare afternoon tilt. Puck drop is at 12:30 PM. Watch LIVE: www.hockeytv.com.

WEEKEND PREVIEW

Saturday, Feb. 18 vs. Victoria (9-11-0-1) – 12:30 p.m. (PT)

THE WEEKEND STORY

· The Spartans are 3-2 against Victoria this year in the regular season.

· The last time these two teams met, the Vikes beat TWU 2-1 in a shootout. In that game, a knee injury to TWU’s Jame Kreller delayed the game for 40 minutes before the league decided to bypass the final two minutes of the third period and overtime and go straight to a shootout.

· The game will feature three of the top four scorers in the BCIHL. Victoria’s Shawn Mueller leads the league with 11 goals and 16 assists, while teammate Patrick Holland has 12 goals and 13 assists. TWU’s Jarrett Fontaine is fourth in league scoring with 13 goals and 11 assists. The Spartans Evan Last is second in scoring with six goals and 20 assists, but he won’t play in Saturday’s gme due to a suspension.

· TWU is coming off a convincing 4-1 win over Selkirk that snapped a three-game losing streak.

· The Vikes lost to Simon Fraser Friday night. Prior to that, they had won three straight games.

· TWU’s power play is third in the league at 15.9 per cent. It’s penalty kills is second in the BCIHL at 85.9 per cent.

· Victoria’s power play is fourth in the BCHIL at 15.8 per cent. It’s penalty kill is fourth at 82.8 per cent.

· The Spartans come into the game three points clear of Selkirk for second place.

· Victoria is in fourth place and are four points behind the Saints for third place.

· After Saturday’s game, TWU will finish the season with four straight road games.

TRINITY WESTERN SPARTANS (12-5-0-2)

BCIHL standings: 2nd
Last game: Selkirk (4-1 W)
Streak: 1 win
Form: W-L-L-L-W
2015-16 BCIHL Record: 13-9-0-2 (3rd)
2015-16 BCIHL Playoff Record: 2-2 (2nd)

VICTORIA VIKES (9-11-0-1)

BCIHL standings: 4th
Last game: Simon Fraser (4-0 L)
Streak: 1 loss
Form: L-W-W-W-L 2015-16
BCIHL Record: 11-12-0-1 (4th)
2015-16 BCIHL Playoff Record: 1-2 (3rd)