Selkirk College wins 3rd straight BCIHL title with finals sweep of SFU

Selkirk College celebrated a BCIHL championship on Saturday night after defeating Simon Fraser University by a 4-2 score at the Castlegar Recreation Complex in Castlegar. The Saints swept the best-of-three series on the heels of a 3-1 win Friday.

It is the third consecutive league title for the Saints, who topped SFU in 2013 and TWU in 2014, marking the first time that a BCIHL team has accomplished such a feat.

Thomas Hardy put Selkirk on the board during a penalty-filled first period, finishing a fine individual effort with a backhand goal from the slot. The goal marked his team's first successful power-play effort following a 0-for-6 performance in Game 1.

Jared Eng replied for SFU early in the second period, as the Clan played their strongest hockey early in the middle frame. But they couldn't find a second goal against Saints netminder James Prigione and paid the price.

A pair of rookie forwards scored two goals in a span of 90 seconds late in the second period to give the Saints a two-goal lead that they would not surrender. 

First, Jamie Vlanich was the recipient of a Lucas Hildebrand pass after the third-year defenceman forced a turnover low in the Clan zone. Vlanich made no mistake, beating Jordan Liem. And moments later, Darnell Dyck jumped on a failed clearing attempt and fed BCIHL playoff scoring leader Ryan Edwards at the side of the SFU net for a tap-in.

Selkirk slowed the pace during the third period with long spells of possession deep in the SFU zone and a neutral zone trap that troubled the Clan. The strategy succeeded, as Saints blueliner Ryan Procyshyn iced the game with an empty net marker with less than a minute remaining.

SFU forward Adam Callegari netted his team's second of the night with 20 seconds left on the clock, but the result was no longer in doubt. As the final horn sounded, Selkirk players streamed off the bench to celebrate in front of a crowd of over 900 fans.

Prigione picked up his fourth straight postseason win with a 23-save effort while Liem took the loss despite playing a strong game for the second time in as many nights. Final shots were 28-25 Selkirk.

The BCIHL Playoff MVP and All-Star team will be revealed in the coming days.