Oishi's third period marker lifts VIU to home ice win over Clan

The only even strength goal of the hockey game was also the most important one, as Kobe Oishi netted the game winner with 6:08 remaining in regulation to break a 1-1 deadlock and lift Vancouver Island University to a 2-1 home ice victory over Simon Fraser University on Saturday night.

Graham Smerek opened the scoring for SFU on a first period power-play, giving the Clan a lead they would hold until midway through the third. VIU evened the game on a man-advantage goal of their own by Dallas Calvin with just over eight minutes gone in the final frame, setting the stage for Oishi's heroics.

SFU finished the night 1/4 on the power play while VIU went 1/5. The Mariners outshot their visitors by a 35-30 margin.

Brett Clark made 29 saves in the game, including 23 straight in the second and third periods, to pick up his fifth win of the season. Michael Lenko made the start for SFU and turned aside 33 shots in the loss.

With his goal in the third period, Calvin overtakes teammate Brett Witala for the BCIHL scoring lead with 16 points. VIU currently occupies the top four spots in the league points race with Garrett Dunlop and Alex Milligan not far behind.

VIU is back in action next Saturday night when they host Trinity Western University in a battle for first place at the Nanaimo Ice Centre. SFU is off next weekend and is idle until a December 7 home match-up vs. TWU.