LANGLEY, B.C. – Trinity Western knocked off Regina 6-2 to pick up their first-ever weekend sweep of the Cougars, capping the two-night set in emphatic fashion Saturday at the Aldergrove Community Centre. 

The Spartans Michael Spafford had a goal and two assists, while Christian Lowe bagged fours assists to lead TWU on the scoresheet. Connor Farren, Jeremy Klessens, Matteo Lamoureux, Luke Spadafora and Aidan Steinke also scored for TWU, who had their biggest offensive output since Jan. 28, 2023, when TWU put up six goals in a loss to Manitoba. 

TWU is now 2-6 on the year, while Regina drops to 1-7.

The Spartans took a 4-2 lead into the third period and after sustaining early pressure from the Cougars, TWU salted the game away with a pair of empty-net goals in the final three minutes. 

Leon Sommer made 33 saves to earn the win. Regina's Adam Evanoff made 26 saves. 

Blake Heward scored both goals for Regina. 

Coupled with the Spartans women's hockey team also sweeping the Cougars in Regina, the four-win weekend was the first-ever for TWU's hockey teams since starting to play in Canada West in 2021.

A day after earning their first-ever win over Regina, beating the Cougars 4-1 on Friday night, the Spartans opened the scoring at 7:14 of the opening frame, when Farren scored his second goal in as many nights, sniping a power play marker over the glove of Regina's Evanoff. 

Klessens doubled the Spartans lead early in the second period with his first goal of the season. Heward closed the gap to 2-1 three minutes later, but the visitors were never able to get back on even terms. 

Spafford put TWU ahead by two before the teams traded goals late in the middle frame, with Heward and Lamoureux scoring to send the game to the third period with TWU up by two. 

Regina outshot TWU 35-32.

TWU finished 2 for 4 on the power play, while Regina was 0 for 3.

QUOTABLE
Ben Walter, TWU Head Coach
"I'm really proud of our players and the effort we put out there tonight.  We were consistent with our energy for 60 minutes and the players deserve all the credit for both wins this weekend. I really liked how we responded when Regina pulled within one goal both times. Our attitude on the bench was great as well. We are looking forward to building on this as we travel to Saskatoon next weekend."

NOTABLE 
•    The weekend sweep marks the Spartans first-ever sweep of the Cougars, having never previously beat Regina prior to Friday's win. 
•    The back-to-back wins also marks the second time TWU has earned a weekend sweep, with the Spartans beating Manitoba twice, Nov. 2-3, 2023. 
•    TWU is now 2-8 all-time against Regina.

NEXT UP
TWU will travel to Saskatchewan to play the Huskies Nov. 8-9. 

About Spartan Athletics
As official members of U SPORTS, the Spartans currently compete in 13 sports in the Canada West conference, including women's and men's soccer, volleyball, basketball, hockey, cross country and track & field, as well as women's rugby sevens. TWU also competes as an independent team in men's rugby and women's and men's disc golf. Since TWU entered U SPORTS in 1999, the Spartans have won 14 U SPORTS team championships and 34 Canada West team championships.

About Trinity Western University
Recognized for quality, TWU has received seven consecutive A+ rankings for Quality of Teaching and Learning, holds three Canada Research Chairs, and wins national championships in CIS sports. More importantly, lives are changed at TWU through its whole-person, Christ-centred approach to education. With a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, and adult degree-completion programs, TWU equips leaders of character and competence to make a positive impact in the lives of others.  

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