It was a tough start to the season for the Trinity Western Spartans men鈥檚 hockey team.

The Spartans lost 3-0 on Friday to the Eastern Washington Eagles and then their rally fell short the next night, losing a 8-6 game to the Thompson Rivers WolfPack in B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League action.

Both games were at the 91原创 Events Centre.

In the opener, Eagles goalie Jason Greenwell stopped all 30 shots he faced.

The Spartans got the offence on track on Saturday.

They trailed 6-3 early in the third, they scored twice in a 16-second span to make things interesting with 14 minutes remaining. But that was as close as they would come in the 8-6 defeat.

鈥淲e scored some goals and we should be able to win when we score six goals,鈥� said coach Dwayne Lowdermilk.

鈥淭he guys fought back three times. There were tons of positives but coming up short isn鈥檛 one of them.鈥�

Another problem was undisciplined play as Trinity Western had 40 minutes in penalties.

Jamey Kreller had two goals and an assist and Jamie Russell scored twice to lead the Spartans.

Trevor Beaupre and Doug Gordon had the other TWU goals.