The Selkirk College Saints battled Simon Fraser University to a tight 2-1 victory in Burnaby Saturday, Feb. 23, capturing two B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League records in the process.
The victory saw the Saints solidify their place atop the standings establishing new league records of 20 wins and 40 points.
Saints coach Jeff Dubois said the team is resting two key offensive players in Jordan Wood and Logan Proulx; both have minor injuries. With three goalies and a deep roster, Dubois knows he can rely on other lines.
The game was scoreless until Saints D-man Justin Sotkowy scored on SFU goalie Graeme Gordon 6:47 into the third. With about seven minutes in regulation, SFU forward Trevor Milner forced overtime.
A shootout, the first for the Saints this season, was needed after nothing was decided in overtime. The game winner came off the stick of Thomas Hardy when the crafty right-hander slipped one through Gordon's legs. Selkirk's Justin Sotkowy and SFU's Jono Ceci also scored in the shootout.
It was a brave effort by SFU net-minder Stephen Wolff, as he turned aside all but one of the Saints 38 shots in regulation.*
Selkirk has two more regular season games to add to it's impressive tally.
The Saints will begin their playoff run with home-ice advantage on March 8 against an as-yet-undetermined opponent. UVic, Trinity Western and Eastern Washington are all jockeying for position.
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* CORRECTION: The Feb. 28 issue of the Castlegar News incorrectly identified the Simon Fraser University goaltender, Graeme Gordon, as Selkirk Saints goalie Stephen Wolff. We regret the error.