Walker's hat trick the difference as EWU tops Selkirk in key home contest

Eastern Washington University nudged their way back into the playoff discussion on Friday night, topping Selkirk College by a 5-2 score in an important match-up for both teams at the EWU Recreation Complex.

As has been the case many nights this season, the Eagles attack was led by standout rookie forward Beau Walker, who netted a hat trick and added an assist in the win. Linemates Brett Mathews and Alec Burks chipped in as well with two and three points respectively.

Walker scored the lone goal of the first period just over seven minutes in to regulation and weathered a frame that saw the Saints funnel 21 shots in the direction of EWU netminder Austin Brihn.

Darnell Dyck evened the score early in the second, but it took less than four minutes for Eagles freshman Ricky Doubrava to restore the home team's one-goal advantage.

Rather than nurse their lead in the third, Eastern came out firing and netted the 3-1 goal on the first shift of the period as Mathews beat Saints starter James Prigione off a set-up from Walker and Burks.

Walker increased the lead to three on the line's next shift to put the game out of reach. He completed the hat trick by scoring into an empty net with 2:50 remaining.

Dyck scored a pair for the visitors, while Stefan Gonzales, Ryan Edwards and Logan Proulx counted assists.

Brihn picked up the win in net for Eastern, turning aside 33 shots. He was ejected from the game with 1:53 remaining, however, meaning that he will miss his team's next game.

Prigione recorded 20 saves in the loss.

The win pushes EWU back within six points of the BCIHL's fourth and final playoff spot, which is currently occupied by Selkirk and SFU. The Saints, meanwhile, remain three points back of UVic for second and 10 back of Trinity Western for first.

The teams won't have to wait long for a rematch, as Selkirk returns to Cheney next Friday to kick off a home-and-home weekend series between the Eagles and Saints.