The Mission City Outlaws went through the gamut of emotions this weekend, and none more so than starting goalie Matthew Trulsen.
His older brother, Noah Trulsen, passed away at the age of 22 on Thursday following a tragic accident during a men’s recreational hockey league game in Langley.
He tripped head first into the boards, and eventually died from those injuries.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, Matthew returned to the net on Friday against the North Vancouver Wolf Pack.
Mission fell 3-1 to the Pack on home ice, but Matthew was stellar in the pipes and made 41 saves. He was also named the game’s first star.
The news about Noah travelled very quickly throughout the hockey world, and former Vancouver Canucks defenceman Kevin Bieksa tweeted out his condolences and then called Matthew directly.
A relative of the Trulsen family happens to be neighbours with Canucks mascot “Fin” and the connection was made. Bieksa was Noah’s favourite NHL player.
A GoFundMe account for the Trulsen family has received a significant amount of support, and a scholarship in Noah’s memory is the goal. The campaign has raised over $14,000 as of press time. That page can be found at gofundme.com/2ppn3hw.
The Outlaws returned to action on Saturday, and took down the Delta Ice Hawks 5-4.
Mission fell behind 3-0 after the first period, but battled back with three unanswered goals over the second and third periods. Kyle Mooney and Tristyn Olson (two) helped Mission tie the game at three early into the final frame.
The Ice Hawks took the lead back at 3:21, but Maximllian Corazza connected on a power play goal at 6:21 to tie the game back up, and then Conner Jollymore scored the eventual game-winner at 13:10 to give Mission the win.
Outlaws goalie Isaac Elias made 32 saves to earn his second win on the season.
Mission then travelled to Port Moody to take on the Panthers on Tuesday, falling 3-2 in overtime.
The Outlaws’ record now sits at 3-4-3.