Selkirk Saints score BCIHL Three-Peat with sweep of SFU Clan
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The Selkirk Saints accomplished what no other team has done in the BC Intercollegiate Hockey League — score a Three-Peat.
The Saints swept out Simon Fraser University Clan 4-2 Saturday night in Castlegar to capture the schools third consecutive BCHIL banner before a boisterous crowd.
Goals by Jamie Vlanich and Ryan Edwards 90 seconds apart in the second period snapped a 1-1 tie to power the home side to the victory.
The game, coupled with a 3-1 decision Friday, completed the best-of-three series sweep 2-0.
The series win was the second time in three seasons Selkirk has defeated SFU to win the title.
The first time came in 2013 in Nelson.
In 2014 Selkirk defeated Trinity Western University to capture the crown.
Thomas Hardy, third star in the contest, 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 the Clan couldn’t solve Saints netminder James Prigione, paying the price when a pair of BCIHL rookies snapped home goals to give Selkirk a 3-1 advantage after 40 minutes.
The two Kootenay International Junior Hockey League stars, Vlanich and Edwards, scored late in the frame.
Vlanich was named the game’s first star.
In the third Saints defenceman Ryan Procyshyn iced the game with a goal into the empty net.
SFU forward Adam Callegari scored with 20 seconds left on the clock, but the result was no longer in doubt.
Prigione, selected star number two, picked up his fourth straight postseason win with a 23-save effort while Jordan Liem took the loss in the nets for SFU despite playing a strong game for the second time in as many nights.
Final shots were 28-25 Selkirk.
With files from BCIHL website.
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