The Selkirk College Saints picked up their second and third BCIHL wins of the season over previously undefeated Eastern Washington University Eagles. On Friday night at the Castlegar Community Complex beat Eastern Washington University (EWU) 4-1 and on Saturday in Cheney, near Spokane, the Saints won again 4-1.
"We outbattled Eastern Washington," said Selkirk goalie Spenser Wong. "I think we wanted it more. We won a lot of one on one battles and I think that was the key to getting the two victories."
Selkirk jumped out to a 3-0 lead on Friday in Castlegar with Scott Traverse, Sandro Moser and Scott Jago scoring for the home team.
Bret Kellogg brought the visiting Eagles to within one at the three minute mark of the second period; but it was the only goal they would score.
Garrett Kucher sealed the victory for Selkirk, scoring at 12:53 of the third to give Selkirk the 4-1 win.
On the road Friday, Jordan Wood opened the scoring for Selkirk with a power play goal assisted by Garrett Kucher and Scott Jago at 10:37 of the first period.
It took until the third period for either team to score again when the Saints rattled off three straight goals (Adam Makaroff, Kucher, and Nithen Dhaliwal) to take a commanding 4-1 lead.
Eastern spoiled Spenser Wong's shutout bid with 59 seconds left in the game as A.J. Sanders scored a power play marker for the visitors.
"It was a little disappointing, but I'll take the two points any day," said Wong.
For his efforts during the weekend, Wong was named the BCIHL's player of the week for the week ending Nov. 6.
The 21 year-old made 36 saves Friday - including 17 in the third period of a first star effort. On Saturday, Wong made 24 of 25 saves and was selected third star.
"The defence did a really good job of keeping the puck to the outside," said Wong. "They moved the traffic from the front of the net and let me see the puck."
Wong was pleased to be honoured by the league with an award. "It's an honour to be named player of the week, especially in this league with so many good players," he said. "It was nice."
His overall goals against average (2.97) and save percentage (.922) stand sixth and second respectively in the league, while he has faced the most shots and made the most saves by any BCIHL goaltender this season.
Forward Jordan Wood was also honoured by the league as he was named BCIHL rookie of the month for October. The former Kelowna Chief and Westside Warrior is currently second place in league scoring with 14 points in eight games.
The wins push Selkirk into a three way tie for third place in league standings with Okanagan College and Thompson Rivers University.
The Saints record is now three wins and five losses.
This weekend, Selkirk hosts Trinity Western University from Langley on Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 1:30pm both at the Castlegar Community Complex.