Edwards, Milligan lead Selkirk Saints past Eagles
By Bob Hall
The defending BC Intercollegiate Hockey League (BCIHL) Champion Selkirk College Saints have proven they are tough to beat at home after defeating the Eastern Washington University Eagles for the third straight time in as many games.
Unlike in the previous week when a dramatic victory was earned in the final seconds, on Saturday night at the Castlegar & District Community Complex it was all Saints, all game as the hosts blasted the Eagles 7-1.
Selkirk College flew out of the gates with a relentless attack that saw them find the scoreboard four times in the first nine minutes. Matt Martin, Alex Milligan, Thomas Hardy and Mason Spear notched the first period goals for the Saints who outshot the Eagles 12-6.
Eastern Washington started to chip away in the second period after a shorthanded goal by Cody Ogrin made the score 4-1. But just three minutes later, Saints first year forward Ryan Edwards returned the favour, also with a man down, to regain the four goal lead.
Milligan got his second of the night to build a 6-1 Saints lead heading into the final break.
The home side continued to pound Eastern Washington in the last 20 minutes, outshooting the Eagles 13-3 and 41-15 overall. Edwards scored his second of the night with just over a minute left to cap off the convincing win.
James Prigione earned the win in goal, his second of the year and seventh out of 10 over the past two seasons.
The win evens the Saints season record at 3-3-0-1. Selkirk is four points behind league leading Trinity Western and one in back of second-place Simon Fraser and University of Victoria.
The Saints biggest test of the year will come this Friday and Saturday as they host a double header versus longtime rival Simon Fraser University. The puck drops on both games at 7 p.m. at the Castlegar Complex.
