The Selkirk College men's hockey program remained unbeaten in the early goings of the 2012/13 B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League regular season, topping Thompson Rivers University by an 11-0 score on Saturday night at the Castlegar Recreation Complex.
The result marked the fourth consecutive victory to start the year for the Saints, who set a number of team records in the process in front of an appreciative home crowd.
Jordan Wood opened the scoring for the home side four minutes into the first period, accepting a slick pass from linemate Logan Proulx and firing past WolfPack starter Riley Wall. The pair then combined to set up their team's second goal minutes later, as the puck made its way to blueliner Dylan Smith and then to the back of the net off a shot through traffic from the point. The Saints dominated play throughout the opening 20 minutes, outshooting TRU by an 18-3 margin.
Selkirk continued to pressure their opponents in the middle frame and were rewarded with six goals in the period. Wood netted the first on a power-play with 14:21 on the clock and Beau Taylor, Cody Fidgett, Ben Starbuck and Mason Spear added even-strength singles before intermission.
The third period saw Wood complete his hat trick before Smith and Starbuck added their second goals of the night respectively. Assistant captain Scott Swiston netted his first of the season to round out the scoring.
In goal, former WHL product Alex Sirard turned aside 23 shots and picked up the Saints' first shutout since the team joined the BCIHL in 2007. The win was his second of the season after backstopping Selkirk in their season-opening win at the University of Victoria.
"As a group we're obviously very pleased with tonight's result, which came down to hard work and solid execution right through the line-up top to bottom," says Saints head coach Jeff Dubois.
"At the same time, we know that TRU is a much better team that tonight's score indicates, and they'll come out hard and hungry in the rematch. The score doesn't mean anything more than the two points in the standings, and for the weekend to be a success we need an equally strong effort tomorrow."
Saturday night's game is set for a 7:30 PM face-off from the Castlegar Recreation Complex. Tickets are available at the door for $8 (Adults) and $5 (Selkirk students & staff, seniors, children 6 & older). Season passes are also still available at special rates on game nights. For more information on Saints single game tickets and passes, visit GoSaints.ca.
SAINTS NOTES: Team records set on Friday night included number of goals scored (11) and margin of victory (11).
Winger Ben Starbuck made a successful Saints debut with two goals on the night. He was a late addition to the line-up following an injury to Jackson Garrett.
Cody Fidgett's goal with 7:21 remaining in the second period drew a particularly strong cheer from the crowd of over 250 fans. The reason? It took place during the "Big Mac Minute", a promotion that rewards each fan with a coupon for a free Big Mac from McDonald's when Selkirk scores with between 7:59 and 7:00 on the clock. It was the first "Big Mac Minute" win of the young season for Saints fans.
VICTORIA
SIMON FRASER
OKANAGAN
LOGAN LAKE
VANCOUVER ISLAN.
