Gonzales scores with 0.2 seconds left in regulation to lift Saints over EWU

A Stefan Gonzales goal with just 0.2 seconds remaining in regulation time lifted Selkirk College to a wild 6-5 victory over Eastern Washington University on their home ice in Castlegar on Saturday night.

The decisive goal came just moments after the Eagles looked to send the game to overtime with a tying marker from Tanner Hawes with just 38 seconds left on the clock.

But sustained pressure in the EWU zone led to a one-timer opportunity for Gonzales as time ticked down, and the second-year blueliner made no mistake in beating EWU netminder Tyler O'Donnell, who had little chance on the play.

The frantic ending came at the conclusion of a back-and-forth game that saw the teams combine for 11 goals.

EWU took early leads of 1-0 and 2-1, but back-to-back goals from Marc-Antoine Guimond and Thomas Hardy just 22 seconds apart put the hosts ahead 3-2 after the first period.

Hawes first goal of the night knotted the game in the second period and set up a final 20 minutes where the Saints twice captured and gave back the lead prior to Gonzales' heroics.

Mike Vlanich picked up his first BCIHL win between the pipes for Selkirk with a 26-save performance while O'Donnell made 24 stops in the loss.

The teams will meet again next Saturday at the Castlegar Recreation Complex. Faceoff is set for 7:00 PM.