For the third time in four seasons, the Trinity Western University Spartans have clinched a playoff berth.
The Spartans earned three of a possible four points from two games at the Langley Events Centre in Week 19, assuring themselves of a top-six finish and a trip to Hope for the SCWHL/Provincial Championship tournament March 27-29.
TWU came from behind twice to earn a 2-2 tie with the Richmond Devils on Saturday evening. After Aish Sander of the Devils scored a powerplay goal to open the scoring in the first period, Mackenzie Semenchuk pulled the Spartans into a 1-1 tie after two periods.
Deanna Mohr added another powerplay tally for Richmond midway through the third period, but again the Spartans responded. Emily Johnston netted the tying goal with eight minutes left in the game.
Sunday afternoon, the Spartans got the game-winning goal from Kiki Richardson 37 seconds into the third period for a 2-2 victory over the North Shore Rebels.
Jess Sibley opened the scoring for TWU early in the second period, with Simran Sidhu of North Shore tying the game 96 seconds later.
The Spartans outshot North Shore 40-18 in a battle for former U Sports goaltenders. The Rebels got a 38-save effort in goal from former Saskatchewan Husky Cassidy Hendricks, while Sienna Cooke (St. Mary’s Huskies) stopped 17 of 18 in the TWU net for the win.
The Fraser Valley Jets moved into a tie for first place with the Meadow Ridge Moose, defeating the South Fraser TNT 5-3 Sunday afternoon at Planet Ice – Delta.
Fraser Valley led 2-0 and 3-1 at the period breaks, and outshot the TNT 42-32.
Lisa Mullan, Shat Gronnemose, Sarah Francis, Alanna Kedra and Alyssa Theodore netted a goal each for the Jets.
The TNT got goals from Steph Strymecki, Michelle Mony and Michelle Zeigler.
