The Portage Collegiate Trojans made a triumphant return to Stride Place last night. PCI dominated the Mountain Mustangs, coming away with a 9-0 to improve their record to 6-1 this season. Forward JJ Oke says their hot start is what propelled them to victory.

"I thought we came out really hard in that first period," Oke explains. "We got into a little bit of penalty trouble but we started playing well, moving the puck, and the bounces went our way."

The Trojans tickled the twine four times in the opening period and scored three of those goals within the span of a minute. 

The scoring was opened by Cam Sarna, who finished the game with a pair of goals and an assist. Logan Budz, Alex Van Deynze, and Maddox Shindle all had three-point nights as well, and Oke led the way with a hat-trick and a helper.

A rematch with the Mustangs is next up on the Trojans' schedule. Oke outlines what they'll have to do to come away with a similar result.

"Moving the puck well, staying out of the box, and knowing they're going to be coming out hard after a game like that."

PCI suffered their first loss of the season last week in Altona to the W.C. Miller Aces but since then, they have beaten their past two opponents by a combined score of 17-1.

"I think the loss was big," Oke continues. "It kind of opened the guys' eyes a little bit that we're not the same championship team as last year. It gives us something to work for and get back that title."

Oke says all the players that have returned from last year's league championship team have entered the season with added confidence, including himself. However, he says they still need to enter every game level-headed to become back-to-back champions.

The Trojans hit the road on Monday for a rematch with the Mustangs, and they will return to Stride Place on December 8th against the Carman Cougars.

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