The Trail connection led the way on the weekend as the Selkirk College Saints cruised to a 5-0 shut out of Simon Fraser University Clansmen on Saturday at the Castlegar Community Complex.
Ryan Edwards had five assists and was named the game’s first star, while linemates Jamie Vlanich scored once and had two helpers, and Dallas Calvin added a goal and an assist to his league-leading total.
The three Trail minor hockey graduates lead the team in scoring with Calvin’s 10 goals and five assists topping the BC International Hockey League. Edwards is not far behind with 12 points, and Vlanich in the top-five with two goals and eight points.
The team’s first shut-out win also launches the Saints into sole possession of first place in the BCIHL with a 4-2 record, two points up on SFU and Trinity Western University.
Nelson Hurry gave the Saints a 1-0 lead midway through the first period on a setup from Edwards and Vlanich. The opening frame was a defensive struggle that saw only nine shots on net, five for Selkirk and four for SFU.
The Saints broke it open in the second frame with Dane Feeney netting a power play goal 55 seconds in. Former Beaver Valley Nitehawks’ defencemen combined to make it 3-0 when Danny Vlanich wired home a pass from Fruitale’s Arie Postmus at 13:53.
Edwards and Calvin then set up Jamie Vlanich with just 45 seconds to play in the middle frame to give the Saints a commanding 4-0 lead, while outshooting the Clan 14-4 in the period.
SFU pushed back in the third but James Prigone blocked all 15 shots, and Calvin finished the scoring at 6:49 beating former Trail Smoke Eater Lyndon Stanwood in net for the Clan. Stanwood played parts of two seasons with the Smokies from 2011-13, winning 22 of 70 games with a .403 goals against average.
The Saints outshot the Clansmen 32-23 with Prigone taking second star, and Hurry third star honours for his two-point night.
The Saints play their final two home games of 2015 this weekend against the University of Victoria and will celebrate with a Fan Appreciation Night and Parent Weekend.
“The student athletes who compete for the Saints come from near and far,” Selkirk College Athletics Coordinator Kim Verigin told Selkirk media rep Bob Hall. “We are looking forward to welcoming the families of the new and veteran players on the team.
“A hockey team is like a family and everybody involved are important components of that extended unit.”
Parents will have an opportunity to tour the Castlegar Campus and meet some of the people involved in the education aspect of their sons’ post-secondary experience.
The puck drop goes at 7 p.m. for both weekend matches against the Vikes. The Saints hit the road for four straight and will not return to the Castlegar arena until Jan. 8 when they take part in an exhibition set with North Dakota’s Williston State.