Edwards scores hat-trick to power Saints past SFU in BCIHL Championship opener
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Ryan Edwards is no stranger to the big stage having led the Beaver Valley Nitehawks to the triple-crown of Junior B Hockey in 2014 — Kootenay International Junior Hockey League, Cyclone Taylor and Keystone Cup titles.
Edwards is doing the same in 2015 for the Selkirk Saints in the BC Intercollegiate Hockey League Championship.
Edwards scored three times as the Saints defeated Simon Fraser 3-1 in Game one of the BCIHL Final Friday in Castlegar.
It was the second multiple-goal game for the Trail native in the BCIHL post season.
Selkirk can clinch the schools third consecutive BCIHL crown Saturday when the teams resume the best-of-three series at the Complex in the Sunflower City.
If a third game is necessary, it will be played Sunday afternoon in Castlegar.
Following a scoreless first period where Selkirk out shot the Burnaby-based squad 8-4, Edward scored twice in a three-minute span during the second period to give the Saints a quick 2-0 lead.
After Graham Smerek cut the lead in half with a goal at the 12-minute mark of the third period, Edwards guaranteed the win with a goal late in the frame.
Lucas Hildebrand had two assists for Selkirk.
Castlegar out shot Simon Fraser 33-15 as winning goalie James Priglone had a light night between the pipes.
The Saints advanced to the BCIJHL final by sweeping past the University of Victoria Vikings 2-0 while SFU surprised regular season champ Trinity Western in two games.
Puck drop Saturday is 7 p.m. in Castlegar.
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