It was a gutsy effort, but not enough against the first-place Thompson Rivers WolfPack.
The Trinity Western Spartans men's hockey team battled from behind to take a brief third-period lead, but they could not sustain the advantage, allowing two late goals to lose 5-4 on Friday night at Kamloops' Memorial Arena.
The WolfPack improved to 13-2-0 and top spot in the B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League, while the Spartans dropped to 6-9-1 and fifth place.
"The guys played their hearts out; it was great to see that kind of effort and passion," said coach Dwayne Lowdermilk. 'We had lots of shots and the guys were driving the net and trying to make things happen.
"We had them at the end, but we just let up."
Ian Spencer and Josh Stephenson staked the Spartans to a 2-0 lead heading into the first intermission.
The WolfPack responded with three unanswered goals in the middle frame from Andrew Fisher, David Gore and Darcy Huisman.
Trevor Edwards and Sam Gemmel struck a minute apart early in the third to give the visitors a 4-3 lead, but Fisher and Gore both scored their second of the game to earn the two points.
The Spartans next game is Friday (Feb. 4) when the host Fraser Valley at the Langley Events Centre.