It was more than just a loss on the scoreboard for the Trinity Western Spartans hockey team as they returned after an overseas trip.
The Spartans returned from their two-week goodwill trip to China with a 2-1 shootout loss the UVic Vikes on Saturday night.
With the score tied at one goal apiece with two minutes remaining in regulation of the BC Intercollegiate Hockey League game, Spartans forward Jamey Kreller suffered a devastating knee injury which caused a 40-minute delay as paramedics stabilized his knee and stretchered him off the ice.
With such a long delay, the game went directly to the shootout, which the Vikes won.
“It’s so tough to see something like this happen to Jamey, who has been such a big part of our program and to have him go down like that is obviously really difficult for him and for his teammates,” said Spartans coach Barret Kropf.
“As for the game, it was a good battle and both teams put in solid efforts,” Kropf said. “But, when you see a teammate go down with what could be a career-ending injury, it’s obviously not so much about the end result of the game.”
Dirk De Waal had the lone Spartans goal.
The Spartans (10-3-0-1) are back in action on Jan. 19 as they host Simon Fraser.
