Selkirk College prevails over VIU in Fruitvale in battle of Nitehawks alums

Selkir College blueliner Joe Gage broke a second period deadlock to give the Saints a 4-3 victory over Vancouver Island University in Fruitvale in the opener of their two-game weekend series on Saturday night.

The game marked a homecoming of sorts for a number of players who played their junior hockey at Beaver Valley Arena for the KIJHL's Nitehawks. Saints forwards Dylan Heppler, Devin Nemes and Kadrian Klimchuk all suited up for the team, as did goaltender Tallon Kramer.

And perhaps the most high-profile Nitehawks alumnus to make his return was VIU forward Dallas Calvin, who netted 273 points in four seasons.

Josh Shatford and Sebastian Powsey each scored in the first period to put the Saints out to a two-goal lead, but Brett Witala, Michael Olson-Eyre and Alex Hanson all replied in a span of 2:59 midway through the second to put the visitors ahead.

That lead wouldn't last long, however, as Andrew Thompson scored for Selkirk 33 seconds later, setting the stage for Gage's game-winner.

VIU fired 17 third period shots at Kramer but couldn't tie the game, with the Selkirk netminder stopping 43 shots in an all-Nitehawks goaltending dual against fellow Beaver Valley alum Brett Clark.

The teams will close out the weekend series in Nelson on Sunday night at 7:00 PM. The game will be streamed live on Hockey TV.