BCIHL Team Earns Thrilling Overtime Victory in Season Opener, Hosts VIU Oct 12

Wagner’s overtime winner propels Red Leafs Past Okanagan in BCIHL opener

The Simon Fraser University Red Leafs BCIHL squad defeated the Okanagan Lakers 3-2 in overtime October 4th in their home opener, starting their season off on a positive note.

Red Leafs goaltender John Aydin stopped 31 of 33 shots sent his direction, including a few massive stops in the third period which were crucial to forcing overtime.

The game got off to a relatively slow start, as both teams looked sloppy in their first game of the BCIHL year. SFU had a chance to take an early lead on a five on three power play, but were unable to get any quality looks and were thwarted by Okanagan’s strong defensive structure, as the first period ended in a scoreless tie.

The second period did not start well for the Red Leafs, as after another failed power play, Okanagan marched up the ice and Lakers forward Garrett Gilbertson scored on a snap shot off the rush. 

However, the Red Leafs would tie up the game in the most unusual of fashions. SFU had taken a penalty to put them on the penalty kill, after some good PK efforts the Red Leafs would find themselves with an offensive zone faceoff - a rarity when killing a penalty. SFU’s Hayden Yahn stepped up to take the draw on the right side of the zone, and as the linesman dropped the puck, Yahn hammered it home mere milliseconds after the puck left the linesman’s hand.

A truly remarkable display of anticipation and hand-eye coordination by Yahn had tied the game up, but there was still plenty of time to go. Aydin was forced to make a tremendous save on a two on one, sprawling across his crease to keep the game tied.

A fast-paced third period would follow, with SFU taking the lead after a funny bounce in their own end triggered an odd man rush of their own, sending Jovan Malay and Owen Thibodeau up the ice. Malay sent a sweet pass to Thibodeau who made no mistake and gave SFU a 2-1 advantage.

But their lead would not hold, as against the run of play Okanagan would tie the game as Kyle Ford wired a shot that went bardown on Aydin, tying the game up and sending it to overtime.

The sudden death overtime period was dominated by SFU, and it appeared that Hayden Yahn had scored his second of the game to end things, but just prior to his shot entering the goal, the Okanagan net came off its mooring and the referee called play dead to the objection of the home fans.

It would not matter in the end, as SFU captain Nick Wagner would snap a shot home following some nice puck movement by the Red Leafs to start the season on a winning note.

The Red Leafs and Lakers have a fast turnaround as they play the very next day in Kelowna, as SFU looks to start the year with a doubleheader sweep.

Next home game for the BCIHL Red Leafs is October 12th versus defending BCIHL champs Vancouver Island University at 7:00PM at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre.

Tickets at the door are $15 for adults and $10 for youth/seniors, early bird online pricing is available at shop.sfuhockey.com up to 24 hours before puck drop.

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