CHENEY, Washington – Trinity Western scored a pair of third-period markers, including Jacob Mills' (Burnaby, B.C.) winner, to earn a 3-2 comeback win over Eastern Washington Friday at the EWU Recreation Complex.

Trailing by a goal through 40 minutes, TWU's Dirk de Waal (Lethbridge, Alta.) evened the score 45 seconds into the third period to set up the chance for Mills to score the game-winner.  

On the power play, Mills tallied his first goal of the year with 7:50 to play and it proved to be the winner as the Spartans (12-7-0-2) hung on to snap a three-game losing skid. The loss puts the Eagles (3-15-0-2) playoff hopes very much in peril as they are now seven points behind Victoria for the fourth and final playoff position with only four games to play.

The Spartans remain in third place and four points back of Selkirk and Simon Fraser, who are tied for first in the BCIHL standings.

In a penalty-filled contest – the Spartans had six power plays and EWU had eight – TWU's Jamie Russell (Surrey, B.C.) opened the scoring for the Spartans in the first period, while EWU's Trevor Zakrajsek and Taylor Bargar each scored on the power play.

Spartans goalie Silas Matthys (Wollerau, Switzerland), who had been sidelined due to injury for the last month, returned to the crease to make 36 saves on 38 shots and earn the win. The Eagles Tyler O'Donnell stopped 27 saves in the loss.

"We got behind the eight-ball with the officiating and were pretty much in the box for the whole second period," said Spartans coach Barret Kropf. "Our penalty kill unit stood on its head. In the third period we got on the power play and we were able to capitalize on one of those opportunities. All 20 guys played really well and it was a great team win and those are the types of wins we want to get going into the playoffs.

"Eastern Washington is a great group and they battle hard. They blocked a ton of shots tonight and did everything they could to win that game. Hats off to them for the hard work."

Russell opened the scoring at 6:34 of the first period, with Kaleb Denham (Innisfail, Alta.) picking up an assist.

However, just over three minutes later, Zakrajsek evened the score with a power play goal.

The Eagles Barger then put EWU ahead 2-1, tallying his third goal of the season at 14:28 of the middle frame.

Early in the third period, de Wall tied the game with his eighth goal of the year while Mattias Schmitt (Surrey, B.C.) picked up the assist. With the helper, Schmitt is now just one point from tying Josh MacKnee for TWU's all-time career points lead.

Then Mills, who has 13 assists on the season, tallied his first goal of the year with the man-advantage to give TWU the lead for good.

The two teams are back on the ice for the rematch Saturday at 7 p.m.

-TW-