Hockey
Campese Net’s O/T Winner
For the Eagles to advance, simply put it was all about “fate” and this alone was in the hands of the home squad who were facing the chance to advance or head back to Langley for a game 7 match-up.
In pre-game conversation with some players several mentioned to myself and Greg it was about control, composure and discipline and realistically speaking truer words were never spoken.
With the opening face-off set fans were still filing into the “Eagles Nest” the home squad knew they required a strong start that would go with the
It’s fair to mention that following the let down the previous night, Eagles Head Coach Brandan West and Assistant Coach Linden Saip prepared the squad on the importance of this game.
Langley again went with Braedon Fleming between the pipes and to no surprise the Eagles continued with Mario Cavaliere, but this game would require O/T to determine the eventual winner.
A win would surely require a quick start and that is what the Eagles provided to the 1,017 on hand with the first goal of the game coming a short 1:39 into the contest.
Sundquist was in the right corner pressured by Langley’s “D”, but to the shock of many he magically turn and dish one to mid-ice that saw Danol hammer home his third on the postseason giving the Eagles the early lead.
Surrey continued to press enter the zone with Westgard cutting in on the right side breaking around the winger sending one mid-ice to Brushett who got the initial shot on Fleming only to see the rebound bounce out front to Burgart who collected his 6th of the playoffs putting the Eagles up 2-0 at 5:37.
While many thought this might continue it was a matter of time before Langley got the first at 14:39 only to be followed by a second at 15:08 that gave the Rivermen the tie shocking the Eagles supporters, but bringing the Rivermen fans to life.
While the Rivermen were pressing it was Norton that delivered a long pass up ice to Brushett along the wall who made an abrupt U-turn sending a cross-ice pass to Burgart who hammered in his second of the game giving the Eagles a 3-2 lead heading to the dressing room after one.
Both teams had several chances in the first only to be turned aside by both tenders and heading to the dressing room after one it was the Rivermen outshooting the Eagles by a narrow 15-13 margin.
Langley continued to press managing to grab the tying marker at 4:26 as Ponak got his first of the postseason getting the Rivermen even on the scoreboard.
The game continued to be tight checking with the Eagles on the PP that saw Stewart slide one cross ice to Norton inside the blue-line who calmly slid one to Burgart who sent a bullet top shelf past Fleming regaining a 4-3 lead collecting his third of the contest and eighth of the postseason sending the hats flying.
It was a short 1:01 later that saw Rivermen’s Versluis even the game (again) at 15:55 that would see both teams head to the dressing room full well knowing that the third was a must win for the Rivermen, knowing that the Eagles did not want a return trip to the George Preston Arena in Langley.
The Rivermen were again dominate in the second outshooting the Eagles by a 16-11 tally and 31-24 through two periods.
With the game tied at four after two, the fans were treated to some exceptional BCHL playoff hockey that saw the third end tied at four, but having Langley leading in the shot department 40-35, but this contest would require O/T to determine the eventual winner.
The intermission was brief with Eagles bench boss Brandon West and Rivermen’s Bobby Henderson drawing up the winning goal.
The eventual winner was started deep in the Eagles zone to the right of Cavaliere that caught the Rivermen on a line change that saw Ross send a bullet pass to Brushett on the right side who managed to break in behind the “D” sliding a saucer pass to Campese who wasted little time roofing one over the right shoulder of a shocked Fleming 34 seconds in O/T clinching the victory for the Eagles collecting his third of the postseason.
The win advances the Eagles to the second round of the BCHL Playoffs waiting to play the winner of either PG or Chilliwack.
While the game was physical, it was hard fought with stellar goaltending at both ends of the ice that was extremely entertaining for the fans making the referee’s job relatively easy, while the linesman at times earned their pay.
FORTISBC PLAYER OF THE GAME
CHASE DANOL (1 Goal)
THREE STARS:
1st Desi Burgart (3 Goals)
2nd Mathew Campese (1 Goal)
3rd Nicholas Ponak (1 Goal/1 Assist)
The Eagles thank their loyal Fans for their continued support all season and look forward to seeing them in round two.
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