The Trinity Western Spartans hockey team returned to action with a 5-2 loss to the visiting SFU Clan on Jan. 16 at the Langley Events Centre.
SFU goalie Andrew Parent only had to make 10 saves in the first 40 minutes but had to be sharp in the third period as he made a number of key saves to preserve the victory.
The Clan were up 3-0 after two periods but the Spartans pulled to within one on goals from Jamey Kreller and Brett Wur 3:14 into the third.
“I think we played in the third for sure how we needed to but overall I think out effort was dialed up the way that we wanted for the full 60 minutes,” said Spartans coach Barret Kropf.
“It’s frustrating. The odd bounce or a cross bar here or a skate there and it could have been a different game.”
“I feel bad for the guys because they worked hard and we didn’t get a result,” he said.
“(But) it was good for the guys to come back in the third and get some mojo back.”
The loss drops the Spartans to 4-9 in the B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League while SFU improved to a league-leading 11-3.
The Clan got goals from Aaron Enns, who had a pair, and Trent Murdoch, Jared Eng and Trevor Esau.
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This was the Spartans first game following a post-Christmas 11-day trip to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia where they played three exhibition games against local pro clubs, winning all three.
