Three goals — including one 30 seconds in — in the first period helped the Trinity Western Spartans hockey team win a fourth straight victory.
After Evan Last opened the scoring, Cody Stephenson and Aaron Gruenhage tallied 47 seconds apart in the Spartans 4-1 victory over the Victoria Vikes on Friday at the Langley Events Centre.
“It was good to get that jump start,” said Spartans coach Barret Kropf.
“I think Victoria came out a little flat and we were able to capitalize and get those three quick ones. But I think overall, it’s one of those team wins. I don’t think anyone was head and shoulders above anyone tonight.
“It was just another 60 minutes of 20 guys working hard. We were also a lot more disciplined tonight, which was good. We keep getting these team wins, which builds confidence and momentum.”
Shawn Mueller had the lone Victoria goal to beat Silas Matthys but eight minutes later, Kaleb Denham restored the three-goal TWU advantage.
The Vikes outshot the Spartans 39-31 but Matthys finished with 38 saves as TWU has allowed just two goals in their past three games and four goals over their four-game winning streak.
The victory improved the Spartans to 4-1-0-0 and a share of first place in the BC Intercollegiate Hockey League with the Selkirk Saints, TWU’s opponent this weekend.
The teams will play a pair of games Nov. 4 and 5, both of which will be in Castlegar.
