Chapman, Palmer lead the way for UVic as Vikes stun Selkirk College at home

Emergency call-up Spencer Chapman came up big in his BCIHL debut on Friday, turning aside 48 shots as the University of Victoria got the better of Selkirk College by a 6-2 score at the Ian Stewart Complex.

Chapman, who regularly plays for the BCHL's Victoria Grizzlies, was a last-minute addition to the lineup after starter Alec Dillon sustained an injury. With back-up Zack Wear out with an illness, Chapman made the most of his opportunity while his teammates got the job done offensively.

Logan Nachtegaele opened the scoring with five minutes remaining in the first period on a Victoria power play, and Mike Janz and Landen Matechuk piled on before intermission to give the Vikes a three-goal lead heading into the intermission.

Selkirk responded in the second when Derek McPhail put the Saints on the board early, but Brandon Volpe replied for UVic on another man-advantage tally before Saints forward Brandon Sookro once again brought the visitors within two goals.

Any possibility of a Saints comeback was muted in the third period when Jack Palmer put the Vikes up 5-3 four minutes into the frame. Matechuk scored his second of the night with 2:12 left on the clock to put the finishing touches on a big home ice win.

Chapman allowed two goals on 22 shots in the second period but was otherwise perfect on a night where Selkirk fired 50 shots in his direction. Brett Huber gave way to Patrick Zubick after allowing three goals on six first period shots, and Zubick made 11 saves the rest of the way.

Palmer led the way on the scoresheet for the Vikes with a goal and two assists, while Matechuk, Janz, Volpe, Nachtegaele and Thierry Martine all had two-point nights.

The defeat was a damaging one for the Saints given that Trinity Western dispatched of Eastern Washington by a 11-1 score on Friday. With the win and Selkirk's loss, the Spartans extend their first place advantage to four points.

Selkirk will look to cut that lead in half on Saturday night when they visit Nanaimo to take on Vancouver Island University. Faceoff is scheduled for 8:00 PM and the game will be streamed live on Hockey TV.