Saints relishing first place battle with three games vs. SFU on the horizon

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If building late-season drama was the goal, the B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League schedule-makers couldn’t have planned it any more perfect.

With time running out on the regular season, over the next two weeks the Selkirk College Saints and Simon Fraser University Clan will lock horns in three pivotal games that will likely determine who finishes first overall. At stake is the all-important home ice advantage throughout the playoffs that begin March 11.

“Simon Fraser has been one of the hottest teams in the league in the second half,” says Saints head coach Brent Heaven. “These next three games are going to have a playoff atmosphere and it’s a great time for our team to raise the level of play. If we want to bring home another championship, the next three games will help set the tone.”

The Saints are seeking their fourth-straight BCIHL title and it’s the Clan who look to be the main obstacle. With both teams winning their games this past weekend, Simon Fraser remains two points ahead of Selkirk College.

On Saturday night at the Castlegar & District Recreation Centre, the Saints scored a 5-2 victory over the Eastern Washington University Eagles.

In that contest, Ryon Sookro, Steven Pantazopoulos and Alex Milligan scored, while Dallas Calvin added 2 more for the Saints.  James Prigione picked up the win in goal.

“Our team continues to show that hard work pays off,” Heaven says of the team’s second win in a row. “Saturday night was a great team win with all the players contributing in important ways and we are going to need to continue to build on that as we head into our final games of the regular season.“

The Saints will host Simon Fraser on Friday and Saturday night at the Castlegar & District Recreation Centre. Puck drops both nights at 7:00 PM. The following weekend, the Saints will travel west where they will resume the battle for first place in Burnaby on Saturday night.