Team effort leads Saints to weekend sweep on the road in Victoria

Selkirk College returns home this weekend riding a three-game winning streak after a pair of victories over the University of Victoria Vikes.

Selkirk College sniper Dallas Calvin scored the shootout winner Friday night and rookie goaltender Austin Wells recorded his first British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League win on Saturday night to pace the Saints on their island visit.

“It was a great outcome and exactly what we needed at this early point of the season,” says Saints head coach Brent Heaven. “The most encouraging aspect of the weekend was that both games were solid team efforts that had every player contributing in important ways.”

After a long bus ride to Vancouver Island on Friday, the Saints managed to get off to an impressive opening period start that featured the first goal of the season by Calvin and a powerplay marker by Matt Martin.

The teams exchanged goals in the second period and when Saints’ rookie Jack Mills scored early in the third, Selkirk College held a 4-1 lead. Not ready to go down without a fight in front of a home crowd, the Vikes scored three unanswered goals to tie the game by the end of regulation.

When overtime solved nothing, a shootout was required to settle the contest. Selkirk College starter Brett Huber stopped all three Victoria shooters and Calvin scored to give the visitors the win.

“It was disappointing to let that third period lead slip away, but the guys rallied when it counted and it’s always exciting to win on the last shot of the game,” says Heaven.

On Saturday night, Saints’ rookie Wade Johnson scored two minutes into the game to keep the momentum rolling for Selkirk College. The Vikes tied the score five minutes later, but goals by Alex Milligan and Dane Feeney in the middle frame restored the cushion.

With five minutes left in the third period, Jordan Rauser provided insurance for the 4-1 victory.

“Four different players scored on Saturday night and every line contributed,” says Heaven. “It’s still early, but the guys are starting to find some chemistry and realizing that every player has a role in helping the team win.”

After four straight road games, the Saints return home to the Castlegar & District Recreation Complex this Friday night for a match-up against Eastern Washington University. The puck drops at 7:00 PM.