TWU takes opener in Castlegar following Brown's late game winner

Trinity Western University moved three points clear of Selkirk College for top spot in the B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League standings with a 4-3 win over the Saints on Friday evening at the Castlegar Recreation Centre.

Spartans forward Brayden Brown broke a 3-3 tie at 7:19 of the third period and his goal stood up as the winner, securing TWU its eighth consecutive win.

"It was a great road win," says TWU head coach Barret Kropf. "It had playoff intensity and both teams were full measure for their efforts tonight and both goaltenders played well. It was playoff hockey. There's no other way to describe it."

TWU goalie Silas Matthys made 44 saves to help the Spartans (13-3-0-0) to the victory over a Saints side (11-3-0-1) that has lost twice in a row.

Evan Last had a goal and an assist, while Jordan Rendle and Florian Niedermaier also scored for TWU. Jarrett Fontaine had two assists, including one on Brown's game-winner.

Derek McPhail, Dallas Calvin and Logan Styler scored for Selkirk, who scored all three of its goals on the power play, going three for eight. TWU was one for six with the man-advantage.

Goalie Patrick Zubick made 33 saves in a losing cause.

"I think for the most part our guys were able to find the opportunities and capitalize on them," says Kropf. "We're starting to learn to be responsible in the defensive zone and when you do that, you generate offence."

"To get a road win out of here continues to get us that momentum and builds confidence. Silas made the saves that he needed to make to give us a chance to win tonight. But it really was a 20-man effort tonight."

Rendle opened the scoring less than three minutes into the first period, capitalizing on a power play, with Dustin Deugau and Kaleb Denham getting the assists. Last doubled TWU's lead with just under seven minutes to play, with Fontaine assisting and the Spartans held a 2-0 lead through 20 minutes.

The Saints responded in the second period with McPhail and Calvin scoring to send the game to the final frame tied 2-2. Niedermaier put TWU ahead again at 1:49 of the third period, with Dirk de Waal and Brendan Campbell earning helpers. Styler tied it up again at 4:34, which ultimately set up Brown's heroics.

The back half of the weekend series between the Saints and Spartans is set for Saturday at 7:00 PM (PT) at the Castlegar Recreation Centre.