LANGLEY, B.C. – The defending BCIHL champion Trinity Western Spartans men's hockey team opens it's 2019-20 season at home, hosting the Vancouver Island Mariners Saturday night at the Langley Events Centre. 

WEEKEND PREVIEW
Saturday, Oct 11th vs. Vancouver Island University – 7 p.m. (PT)

THE WEEKEND STORY

• In a rematch of last season's BCIHL championship series, the Spartans host the Mariners in what will be their final home opener before entering U SPORTS in 2020-21. 
• TWU forward Jarrett Fontaine (Humboldt, Sask.) and defenceman Dustin Deugau (Calgary) will once again lead the Spartans offence, coming off all-star selections last season. 
• Lucas Mills (Burnaby, B.C.), who was named the BCIHL's Top Goaltender last year, will once again be between the pipes for TWU, after leading the league in wins (14), goals-against average (2.27) and save percentage (.918) last season. 
• The Spartans bettered the Mariners in all eight of their matchups in 2018-19, holding a perfect 8-0 record including their BCHL championship series. 
• Mariners forward Brett Witala will once again look to lead the Mariners offence after posting 32 points (14G, 18A) and earning a first all star selection. 
• The Spartans return home after their final two preseason games, falling to NCAA Div. 1 Colorado College (L 4-1) and Air Force (L 8-0). TWU went 1-4-1 in the preseason. 
• This marks the final season the Spartans will be members of the BCIHL, as beginning in the 2020-21 season the hockey team will compete in Canada West and U SPORTS.
• TWU is looking to win it's third-straight BCIHL championship after wins over Selkirk (2018) and VIU (2019).
• TWU defeated VIU 3-2 in last year's opener (Oct. 5, 2018) after a Jarett Fontaine (Humboldt, Sask.) overtime goal.

 
SPARTANS HEAD-TO-HEAD IN 2018-19
vs. Vancouver Island University Mariners (8-0)
Regular Season
Oct. 5 – TWU 3 VIU 2 (Langley, B.C.)
Oct. 6 – TWU 6 VIU 5 (Langley, B.C.)
Nov. 24 – TWU 3 VIU 2 (Nanaimo, B.C.)
Jan. 11 – TWU 3 VIU 2 (Langley, B.C.)
Jan. 12 – TWU 4 VIU 0 (Langley, B.C.)
Feb. 16 – TWU 3 VIU 2 (Nanaimo, B.C.)
 
Playoffs
Mar. 14 – TWU 3 VIU 2 (Langley, B.C.)
Mar. 15 – TWU 9 VIU 1 (Aldergrove, B.C.)
 
TRINITY WESTERN SPARTANS (0-0-0-0)
BCIHL standings: 4^th  
Last Weekend: @ Colorado College (4-1 L), @ Air Force (8-0 L)
BCIHL Streak: N/A
Regular Season Form: N/A
 
VIU MARINERS (2-1-0-0)
BCIHL ranking: 2nd
Last Weekend: @ Victoria (4-2 W), vs. Selkirk (6-2 W)
BCIHL Streak: W2
Regular Season Form: L-W-W


-TW-