Mariners stun Selkirk College to take early lead in first round series

Vancouver Island University came out of the gates strong and cruised to a 6-1 Game 1 victory on the road in their first round playoff series against Selkirk College at the Castlegar Recreation Complex.

With the win, VIU have two chances to eliminate the second place Saints and advance to the BCIHL Finals with Game 2 set for Saturday evening and Game 3, if necessary, slated for Sunday.

VIU went ahead less than a minutes into regulation when Dylan McCann beat Selkirk netminder Patrick Zubick on a set up from Garrett Dunlop and Gavin Rauser. Dunlop doubled the lead seven minutes later and the Saints replied on a Sebastian Powsey tally late in the frame.

The Mariners took control of the game in the second, with Michael Olson-Eyre and Spencer Loverock both scoring unassisted goals, and they kept coming in the third as McCann and Dunlop both notched their second of the night.

VIU outshot their hosts by a 39-26 margin. Matt Huber picked up the win with a 25-save performance, while Zubick allowed four goals before giving way to Tallon Kramer midway through the second period.

Selkirk's season will be on the line in Game 2 on Saturday night. Faceoff is set for 7:00 PM and the game will be broadcast live on Hockey TV.