The Trinity Western Spartans and Okanagan College Coyotes skated to a 3-3 tie in pre-season action on Saturday at the 91原创 Events Centre in men's ice hockey action.

Spartans goaltenders Tim Zwiers (31 saves) and John-Paul Chapman (17 saves) were solid as the Coyotes outshot the hosts 48-26.

Much of that was the result of Trinity Western being short-handed nine times compared to Okanagan College's two times.

But despite those two disadvantages, the Spartans were in position for the win, leading 3-2 late in the third.

"It's the beginning of the year, we've only had six skates in total and what can you say when the other team outshoots you 48-26?" said Spartans coach Dwayne Lowdermilk.

"We've got some injuries and we started the game with only three lines and we picked up a couple (of) injuries in the game and we found ourselves a step behind."

"We'll be a work in progress here. We've got guys coming back who haven't played all summer and getting in shape, but we've got to get going pretty quickly here because the season is just around the corner."

Trevor Beaupre opened the scoring for the home side when he snatched the puck near the Coyotes blue-line, made a quick dangle around a defender and snapped a long wrister which beat goalie Sunny Gill between the wickets.

The Coyotes tied the score early in the second when Kyle L'Arrivee struck on the power play, beating Chapman.

The Spartans were down a man for 9:45 of the middle period, but it was Brandon Long who scored the only goal, striking short-handed for the Spartans for the 2-1 lead.

Long pounced on a miscue by Gill, rifling the giveaway into the empty net.

Penalty problems continued in the third and the Coyotes capitalized, with Keon Vick one-timing a loose puck in the slot low and to the blocker side of Zwiers.

Kyle Benjaminsen put Trinity Western back on top with 5:11 left to play, grabbing a giveaway from goaltender Kelson Wiems, and tucking it into the open net.

But a minute later, the Coyotes' Kris Davies tied the score.