Dunlop, McCarrick lift Islanders to road win in first game versus Vikes

Vancouver Island University started and finished strong in their first-ever regular season game against the University of Victoria, jumping out to a quick first period lead and putting the game out of reach in the third during a 5-2 win on Friday night at the Ian Stewart Complex.

Goals from Turner Popoff, on the power play, and Gage Colpron in the opening frame staked the Mariners to an early two-goal lead, and VIU held off a Vikes rally when Garrett Dunlop and Michael Olson-Eyre scored unanswered in the third period.

The road win was the third in five tries for the first-year team, who now sit three-points clear of UVic in fourth place ahead of a rematch tonight in Nanaimo. Faceoff is set for 8:00 PM.

Brandon Volpe brought the Vikes to within one late in the first period and Landen Matechuk tied the game in the second on a Victoria power-play, but Curtis McCarrick scored with just 21 seconds remaining in the frame and the Mariners took control for good in the third.

Linemates Dunlop and McCarrick each finished with three points on the night, while Colpron, Olson-Eyre, Popoff and Josh Cook each had two-point games. Kyle Bird assisted twice for the Vikes but will miss Saturday's game after being assessed a game misconduct late in the game.

Carson Schammerhorn turned aside 22 shots to pick up his second win of the season while UVic starter Alec Dillon was beaten five times before being relieved by Michael Fredrick late in the game.

Saturday night's game in Nanaimo marks a potential milestone for Vancouver Island University, who will be looking to collect their first-ever regular season victory at home. The game can be viewed live on Hockey TV.