January 16th Weekend Recap: Unbeaten SFU earns narrow victories over UVIC

BURNABY, BC — SFU Hockey remain undefeated over the weekend, achieving back-to-back wins at home against the University of Victoria Vikes, taking Friday’s game 3-1 and Saturday 5-3.

On Friday, SFU played a dominant first period, outshooting UVic 14-7, but couldn’t find the back of the net. Logan Bromhead put SFU on the board 1:14 into the second period, capitalizing on a rebound from Tristen Cross’s shot from the point.

Mathieu Jallabert increased the lead to two 4:02 into the third period, also making the most of a rebound with assists from Mateo Coltellaro and Nick Wagner.

UVic forward Finn Withey cut the lead to one with 5:09 left, and the Vikes appeared to tie it up two minutes later, but it was called off due to a tripping call. The Vikes received a roughing call as well, all but assuring the SFU win. Mitch Ledyard scored the insurance goal with 16 seconds left in the game.

Both goalies were in fine form, with Blake Pilon making 35 saves on 38 shots (.921 SV%) for UVic, and Michael Lenko saving 24 of 25 shots (.960 SV%) for SFU, making some key saves down the stretch.

SFU outshot UVic 21-6 in the first period, but in a penalty-filled period that saw both teams put up 14 minutes in penalties, UVic struck first on the power play with Matthew Hermary putting the Vikes on the board, and ended the period up 2-1. Jake Keremidschieff had SFU’s lone goal of the frame, also on the power play.

Kyle Jennings had the only goal of the second period, tying the game up for SFU 7:38 into the frame.

Kyle Bergh gave SFU the lead with a power play goal just 43 seconds into the third period. UVic tied it up midway through the period, but Garrett Hilton scored two goals in the final 6:27 to secure the win for SFU.

Cale Dolan made 23 saves on 26 shots (.885 SV%) for SFU, while Pilon made 39 saves (.907 SV%) in his second straight game for UVic. 

The Vikes will look for their first win of the season against the Vancouver Island University Mariners in Nanaimo on Saturday, January 22. Puck drop is 7:15 pm.

SFU plays next on Saturday, February 5, hosting the Okanagan Lakers. The Lakers are 1-3 on the season, and SFU beat them 5-2 in their previous matchup. Puck drop is at 7 pm at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre.