Selkirk College Pride Helps Produce Spirited Effort
By Bob Hall
The high octane brand of hockey the Selkirk College Saints showcase on the ice is fuelled by what goes on behind the glass.
The Selkirk College hockey team will return to the Castlegar & District Community Complex this Saturday night for a tilt against the Eastern Washington University Eagles.
The British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League (BCIHL) contest will feature great hockey action, but it’s what happens in the stands that helps give the home team an additional boost.
“That extra energy they bring is absolutely a benefit,” Saints head coach Brent Heaven says of the fan support the team receives during home games.
“We don’t necessarily pay attention to what is being said or what they are doing up there, it’s more of the atmosphere and noise.”
The Saints home opener earlier this month brought out more than 500 hockey fans to the Castlegar arena.
A mix of boisterous students, ardent local hockey fans and interested observers help provide an atmosphere unrivalled in the West Kootenay-Boundary.
The Saints triumphed over Trinity Western University 6-3 with the fans scoring an assist in the victory.
“Every time there is a big hit or a big save or a big play… you hear it,” Heaven says of the support in the stands.
“It’s incentive knowing that when you get out there you have that backing behind you, it gives a little more desire to get out there and perform at a higher level. You are getting that support and you want to give them a good show.”
The Saints have put together a modest 2-2 start to the 2015-2015 BCIHL regular season as they build towards taking a shot an unprecedented fourth straight league title.
With all five teams in the league taking turns earning victories so far this season, the Saints are in a four-way tie atop the league standings in the young season.
“If we can continue to build on what I have seen so far from this team, I think we will be in a good spot to get ourselves into the playoffs and move towards our ultimate goal at the end of the year,” says Heaven.
The Saturday night game against the Eagles is the only game of the weekend.
The Saints will return home on October 31 to take on Simon Fraser University at the Castlegar & District Community Complex. The puck drops on both games at 7 p.m.
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