That’s how you open a season.
The Simon Fraser University men’s hockey team did this past weekend what the Vancouver Canucks hope to achieve this coming one, by launching a new season with a couple of wins.
The SFU Clan started the season on the road, topping Eastern Washington 3-1 Friday and edging the four-time defending B.C. Interuniversity Hockey League champion Selkirk College Saints 3-2 on Saturday.
The key to the win over the Saints was strong contributions from all around, and a pair of powerplay markers.
“It was a 60-minute effort from everybody,” said head coach Mark Coletta. “[We used] our team speed, [won] races with the puck, [made] sure we got the loose pucks. There was a spell in the first period where we weren’t doing that and Selkirk definitely took control for about eight minutes, but in the second and third period I think we did a good job to combat that, and make sure we were on the offensive.”
SFU led 2-0 on markers from Mitch Crisanti and Adam Callegari just 1:05 apart in the second period.
While Selkirk drew even with two goals, one late in the second and another early in the third, the game stayed tied for only two minutes before Brendan Lamont buried a powerplay chance to give the Clan their first regulation win in Castlegar in four years.
“Lamont tonight, to be honest, I think was one of his best games I’ve seen him play since he’s been with us. He was all over the ice, on the forecheck, he was unbelievable. He was a pest out there in the true sense of the word and I don’t think Selkirk could contain him when he was out on the forecheck,” said Coletta.
A second-year member of the Clan, Lamont also drew an assist in the game.
Another key element in the victory was a 35-save performance from netminder Jordan Liem, as Selkirk outshot SFU 37-31.
“Two points in October are just as good as two points in March,” remarked Coletta. “We stress that to our guys. We don’t want to give up any points, we want to win.
“We’re four points in two games, and we have to play Selkirk again next week, so these are big matchups right away.”
In their 3-1 win over Eastern Washington, newly-minted captain Brandon Tidy notched the winning goal 2:05 into the third period to break a 1-1 tie.
Usually lining up on a forward line, the versatile Tidy cashed in a point shot while playing defence, due to a couple of injuries to blueliners.
Scott Patterson and Crisanti rounded out the scoring.
The Clan will face Selkirk in a rematch this Saturday in SFU’s home opener.
Puck drop is at 7 p.m. at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre. SFU students get in free with student ID.
