RECAP | SFU takes two of two against Maryville to begin November slate

By Joseph Agosti

BURNABY, BC – The Simon Fraser University Red Leafs Non-Conference hockey club swept Missouri-based Maryville University Saint at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre on November 1st and 2nd.

In their first home games since September 21st, the Red Leafs were able to withstand multiple Maryville comebacks to improve their overall record to 4-7, while simultaneously snapping a six game losing streak.

In game one of the doubleheader, SFU got off to a strong start with Zac Maxwell tipping home a Walker Erickson point shot to give SFU an early lead. SFU keeper Gabe Gratton would make a few strong stops to keep SFU in the lead before Rocco La Carra ripped a shot five-hole off of a Jakob Jones feed. As the first period began to wind down, Maryville would get on the board as Hinter Floris scored on a two on one chance. Things would continue to break Maryville’s way as less than a minute into the second period, the Saints tied the game as Maxwell Wagener beat out the icing, and snapped a shot past a surprised Gratton to tie the game up. But the Red Leaf power play would come up clutch with Caleb Huffman scoring on a point shot. The second period would continue in SFU’s favour as Walker Erickson scored off a beautiful Jimmy Darby pass, giving SFU a 4-2 lead. The Red Leafs would pot one more goal that period courtesy of Austin Fraser to extend their lead to 5-2.

But as the third period started, a trend that would foreshadow the next game occurred, as  Maryville would score two goals to make it a much closer 5-4 match. Austin Fraser would prove to be the hero however, as he potted the empty netter to seal a 6-4 SFU victory in Game 1.

The following night would be a much chippier affair with Maryville’s squad seemed determined to use their size advantage to pummel SFU’s players on the forecheck and in scrums after the whistle. Even though it was a new day and a new game, SFU started very similarly to the night before with Luca Grabas  and Zac Maxwell scoring power play goals to give the Red Leafs an early 2-0 lead. Adding to a strong start to the game, Red Leafs centre Ben Ward tipped home a Kiano Robinson point shot after a long period of extended time in Maryville’s zone to give SFU a 3-0 lead going into the intermission.

The second period would see Maryville chip into the lead, scoring shortly after SFU took two penalties in quick succession. Lucas Grabas would score his second of the game, cashing in on a Darby rebound chance, but Maryville would again score on the power play to make it a 4-2 game. Adding injury to insult, SFU star Walker Erickson would be injured on a dirty hit by Saints defender Colt Corpse, Erickson would not return to the game.

The third period would see the game become extremely physical with Maryville hammering SFU’s forwards in all three zones. Lucas Ceccarelli and Josh Olson of Maryville would take coincidental minors and continued to jaw back and forth in the penalty box.

This seemed to give Maryville a spark, as they would score two goals with less than two minutes to play (the equalizer coming with four seconds to go) in the game to force overtime. But in the end, SFU’s superior skill won out in the extra frame as Lucas Ceccarelli got the last laugh against Olson and the Saints as he was left all alone in front of Maryville's net and sniped a shot top corner to win the game.

The non conference Red Leafs are back in action November 8th in New York State to play St. Lawrence University, before decamping to face off against SUNY–Plattsburgh the next day.

Next home game for the Red Leafs is November 29th versus the University of Victoria at 7:00 PM at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre.

Tickets are on sale at shop.sfuhockey.com