RECAP | SFU Falls to UBC 8-2

Red Leafs blown out 8-2 against UBC

The much anticipated September 28th rematch between SFU’s Non-Conference Red Leafs and the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds did not go as well as the Red Leafs had hoped.

UBC trounced SFU 8-2, at home at the Father David Bauer Arena on UBC’s campus, with SFU falling to 0-2 against UBC this young season while their overall record dropped to 2-2.

The game got off to a tough start for SFU, as nearly nine minutes into the first period, the Red Leafs, off of a failed offensive zone entry, were caught up ice. UBC forward Sasha Mutala sped up the zone on a brilliant individual effort deking around defenseman Jimmy Darby, before his quick shot snuck through goalkeeper Jesse Makaj.

But, shortly thereafter SFU would respond with a goal of their own. While shorthanded, Red Leafs forward Kyle Young would streak down the ice and rip a shot past Thunderbird netminder Brett Mirwald.

Unfortunately for SFU, the celebration would be short-lived. UBC responded with a shorthanded goal of their own less than two minutes later, as former Ottawa Senators draft pick Carson Latimer put UBC back on top, before Liam Kindree would add another to make the score 3-1 Thunderbirds at the first intermission.

The Red Leafs would make a valiant effort to get back into the game, as just over eight minutes into the second period, centre Ben Ward sniped a shot gloveside on Minwald to make it a 3-2 game.

That however, was as close as the Red Leafs would be able to come, as UBC’s Scott Atkinson would score just over two minutes later.

The Thunderbirds would continue to pour it on in the second period, by scoring two more goals, both on the man advantage as Caleb Huffman would take a double-minor and a 10 minute missconduct for spearing. 

The third period did not get much better for SFU, as Sam Huo of UBC would pot two more goals for the home side to make it an 8-2 win for the Thunderbirds, improving their record on the season to an impressive 4-0.

Shots on goal in the game were 45-15 in favour of UBC.

SFU finished this game having given up three power play goals and a shorthanded goal, something Head Coach Mark Coletta’s squad will look to improve upon as his team begins a long road trip.

As mentioned, the Red Leafs will now begin a tour of the United States, where they play five games against American NCAA teams, starting October 5th against Long Island University in New York State. 

The Red Leafs eventually return home to the Bill Copeland Sports Centre November 1st, for a home doubleheader versus Missouri’s Maryville University.

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