LANGLEY, B.C. – For the first time since 1988, Trinity Western beat UBC, knocking off the Thunderbirds 4-3 in a shootout Friday in preseason action at the ARENAS at Langley Events Centre. 

The Spartans Danylo Korzhyletskyi scored the game-winning goal in the shootout to snap TWU's 36-game losing skid against UBC. Captain Christian Lowe also scored in the shootout while TWU's Cole Savage stopped two of the three shooters he faced to earn the win. 

The Spartans trailed 2-0 going into the third period but three straight TWU goals in less than 10 minutes, with Aiden Knutson, Connor Farren and Korzhyletskyi all scoring to put the home side ahead. However, a UBC goal with just under five minutes to play in the third period sent Friday's contest beyond regulation. 

Korzhyletskyi finished the night with a goal and an assist – also earning a helper on Knutson's tally. Lowe and Adam Leitch also earned assists. 

Savage finished with 23 saves on 25 shots while TWU's Raphael Audet, who played the first half of the game, had 22 saves on 23 shots.

UBC's Nic Jones stopped 22 of the 25 shots he faced.

The T-Birds got goals from Zeke Nicholson, Jaxson Ruthven and Brayden Schuurman. Josh Williams was UBC's only goal-scorer in the shootout.

The record books show the Spartans lone win against UBC prior to Friday was Feb. 20, 1988 when TWU won 6-5. 

QUOTABLE
Ben Walter, TWU Head Coach 
"This was definitely a fun way to open up our time at the new facility. Obviously, in a game against UBC, it's always going to be a highly competitive night, so it was nice for us to come out on top. I thought we showed a lot of character. Being down going into the third and the guys just kept playing and kept competing. I thought we had really good energy at times and we were physical. Our goaltenders both played really well and both gave us a really good chance to get back into the game and then win the game. I thought we put the puck in the hands of some of our top guys at the end of the game and overtime and the shootout and they did what they do. 

"It was a good way to start and we have lots to build on. We're excited to move forward through the rest of our exhibition season and just keep getting better every day."

UP NEXT
TWU will host the University of Victoria (BCIHL) Sept. 18-19 at the ARENAS at Langley Events Centre.

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 15 U SPORTS team championships and 35 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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