Reigning Champs Bring Home a Weekend Win
Written by: Grace Penner
The 2025-26 BCIHL Champions hit the ice again with five new rookies joining the team. After a successful season last year, the VIU Mariners were ready to start off this series strong – which was done by a double win against our mainland opponents.
The mighty Mariners played back-to-back games against the Simon Fraser University Red Leafs on September 11th and 12th, dominating the competition in both matches.
In the first period at Bill Copeland Sports Centre, forward Owen Weihs opened up the scoring with a power play goal. Closing in shortly after, the Red Leafs tied up the game going into the second period.
Rookie Nate Murdoch from Kimberly, B.C., got his first goal of the pre-season less than five minutes into the second. Throughout the 20 minute period, the Mariners went on a goal scoring frenzy with Jett Bennett, Kurtis Lee, Davis Sato, Aiden Corbett, and Mathieu Catellier securing their advantage. Rookie Haden Parker – a latecomer who had just joined the team days prior – aided with two assists.
Montreal born goalie Dustin Riff let two more SFU goals slide through but cut them off once they hit four, stopping them from catching up. Second year defenceman Brandon Modde scored the eighth and final goal of the game halfway through the third period. The Mariners took the win 8-4 and led shots on goal, 43-28.
24 hours later, the two teams met once again on Mariners home ice at the Nanaimo Ice Centre. Despite it being the first home exhibition game of the season, the arena was packed wall to wall with new students and longtime fans.
SFU started the game in their hands with an early goal a minute and a half into the first. Newcomer goalie Jaiden Jakubowski brushed it off quickly, letting it be a one off for the period. Our very own Mariners came back strong with Catellier, Ethan Raduy, and Corbett – a power play goal – scoring their first of the night, taking an early advantage 3-1.
In the second period, the Mariners struggled to find their footing and with the lack of communication on the ice, SFU was able to tie up the period. Both teams went into the third on equal ground, 3-3.
The third period was VIU’s game with the players shaking off previous goals scored against them and Jakubowski keeping the net clear. Spencer Bell – who previously played for the St. Lawrence Saints in the NCAA I – scored two goals, with Corbett following suit and Catellier swiping in a last minute goal at the 10 second mark.
The Mariners swept the Red Leafs in a 7-3 win, leading shots on goal 45-15. They will be crossing the border into Detroit, Michigan to face Adrian College on September 18th and 19th, before returning home on the 26th to battle the University of Victoria Vikes.