Pickett, Paul combine to lead Vikes past VIU in 2019 BCIHL season opener

A trio of rookie forwards scored in their B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League debuts on Friday night as the University of Victoria opened the 2019/20 regular season with a 5-1 home ice victory over Vancouver Island University.

Stratton Pickett scored the first goal of the new season less than seven minutes into regulation, and the Vikes went on to score four unanswered tallies after veteran forward Garrett Dunlop put the Mariners on the board later in the frame.

Otis Goldman gave the Vikes the lead just 44 seconds after Dunlop's tally, and Blake Holowaty added insurance early in the second period off a Callum Volpe set-up. Victoria salted away the win with a pair of goals in the closing 20 minutes, as Keegan Durrance and Keenan Eddy each scored their first BCIHL goals.

Pickett finished the night with two points while netminder Daniel Paul had a night to remember with 38 saves, picking up his first collegiate win in the process for Victoria. Matt Huber faced 30 shots in the loss for VIU.

Neither team was able to capitalize on the power play on a night that saw a total of 14 opportunities with the man advantage, split seven a piece.

The Mariners won't have to wait long for a chance to avenge the defeat, as they'll travel south to face the Vikes again at the Ian Stewart Complex next Friday.