Trojans silence Thunder in home opener
CALGARY, ALTA., (Oct. 13, 2018) — In front of their home fans for the first time this season, the SAIT Trojans men's hockey team put on a show.
The Trojans scored once in the first period, twice in the second and three more in the third as they cruised to a 6-1 victory over the Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder Saturday night in their Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) game played at SAIT's Campus Centre.
"We focused on the little things tonight," said Trojans captain, Dean Allison(4th year, Surrey, BC, Bachelor of Business Administration). "We felt like in our opening weekend, we didn't get to the blue paint. That is a big focus for us moving forward, and it paid off for us this weekend in both games."
SAIT moves to 4-0 on the year, while the Thunder drop to 0-3-1.
In four games this season, the Trojans have deposited 24 pucks into the net. Allison said seeing the offense click the way is has, has been nice.
"Scoring's always big, and it's even better for us to see scoring from all different lines and different players," said Allison, who was one of five Trojans who scored on Saturday.
Parker Evans-Campbell (3rd year, High River, Alta., Bachelor of Business Administration) started the scoring with the first of two on the night with seconds left in the opening period.
Ben Sowa tied the game for the Thunder just under six minutes into the second period, beating SAIT goalie Payton Lee (2nd year, Cranbrook, BC, Power and Process Operations).
It would be the only goal Lee would allow, as he turned aside 27 shots to earn the win between the pipes.
The Trojans took back the lead, and then extended it to two goals when Colton McCarthy (3rd year, Salmon Arm, BC, Geographic Information Systems) scored short-handed and then Owen LaClare (2nd year, Edam, Sask., Power and Process Operations) potted one at even strength.
LaClare assisted on McCarthy's goal to continue his torrid scoring pace. The second-year forward now has 12 points (2g, 10a) in four games this season.
"Owen's been outstanding. He's been a beast out there and it's obviously been a pleasure to play with a guy like that on your line," Allison said with a smile.
Allison started the third with his fourth of the campaign before Campbell and Eric Krienke (2nd year, Calgary, Bachelor of Business Administration) finished the scoring.
Erik Pedersen (3rd year, Airdrie, Alta., Business Administration) and Kevin Massy (3rd year, Victoria, BC, Business Administration) didn't score, but each had three assists.
The Trojans return to the ice next weekend with a stiff test, as they will meet the MacEwan University Griffins – ACAC champs the past two years.
"We want to focus on getting better every time we come to the rink," Allison answered when asked what his team needs to work on going forward. "Some of the little things would be staying disciplined and out of the box, and working on our special teams as much as we can."