Entering the game see’s the Rivermen holding down first spot in the Mainland Division with 48 points through 39 games, while the Eagles currently sit in 3rd with 42 points through 37 games.
Surrey has two games in hand and a win, would not only put points in the stands, but also be a confidence builder as both teams approach the ever “dreaded” trade deadline January 10th.
Coming off an impressive, but frustrating 2-1 O/T loss against the Chiefs December 29th was not only concerning, but also somewhat of a confidence team building game.
Davidson was between the pipes on that night stopping 40 of the 41 shots directed at him, but notwithstanding the score the Eagles are faced with the loss of Westgard (Check From Behind- Minor+GM) and Campese who was handed a Match penalty for Spearing.
Moving forward is all any Coaching staff can do and after the New Years break, it’s on to bigger and better things.
Given the steller play of Davidson in Chilliwack, it’s only fitting that he gets the assignment against the Rivermen a short six nights later in a game that saw Fleming get the nod from Langley.
Surrey came out with more of a “bounce” in their stride with them controlling the play as well as the shots throughout the first peppering Fleming time and time again.
While the Rivermen got an early marker it was the stellar and constant play of the Eagles allowing them to jump on a loose puck in the corner after a deflection that found its way to the point to Norton at the point.
His explosive shot deflected off a defender bouncing off the right boards on the stick of Stewart who threw it out front to Ross who pinched in from the blueline hammering one over a sprawling Fleming getting the Eagles even at one.
The Rivermen were shut down from coming out of their zone on various occasions and the Eagles second goal was due to the stellar fore-checking of White in the left corner keeping the puck in the zone.
Danol caused a turnover on the left side that saw the puck scoot behind the net to Sundquist who fed a back pass out front on the left side of the net to White who roofed it over Fleming putting the Eagles up by a 2-1 margin.
A short two minutes later Stewart took a heavy hit along the board on the right side causing concern to everyone and with the puck bouncing off the right boards on the stick of Brushett.
To the shock of many he managed a 360 spinorama move delivering a “wrister” to the front of the net to the waiting Robert who pounced on the rebound sending one over the glove of a shocked Fleming giving the Eagles a comfortable 3-1 lead on their third consecutive goal of the period.
Both teams played a tight checking game and it wasn’t until the 18:34 mark that saw Stewart break in on the left side managing to slide one cross ice to Sterzer who gracefully tipped the pass to Brushett who was waiting on the right side of the post sending the Eagles to the dressing room with a commanding 4-1 lead.
The free flowing game saw Davidson having a quiet night facing seven shots through one period while Fleming his counterpart at the other end faced 13 through 20 minutes of play.
Being respectable visitors the Eagles allowed Rivermen’s Leyh to grab one at 9:45 bringing the Rivermen within two.
With play in the Rivermen zone a clearing play saw Brushett grab a loose puck on the left side sending one off the back boards to Merriman who was “johnny on the spot” and send a back pass out front to Stewart.
His first shot was turned aside, but he stayed with the flow and went from left to right in front of the goal mouth and notched his 9th of the season putting the Eagles up by three.
Langley managed to get one at 15:14 of the period pulling them within two with Surrey taking a 5-3 lead to the dressing room after two.
The Rivermen came out strong in the third peppering Davidson with shot after shot forcing him to play Houdini twisting, while allowing Leyh to notch his second of the game pulling the Rivermen within one.
With Davidson’s exceptional play the Eagles managed to keep Langley off the board even after they used the conventional T/O late in the third.
Through sixty minutes Davidson was faced with 37 shots while allowing only four and it was Rivermen’s Fleming who faced 29 shots allowing five.
Surrey’s next game see’s them travel to Chilliwack in a rematch of the game prior the New Year eve.
FORTISBC ENERGY PLAYER OF THE GAME
John Wojciechowsk (1 goal)
Three Stars:
1st Jeffrey Stewart (1 goal)
2nd Ethan Leyh (2 goals)
3rd Ryan Brushett (1 goal/1 assist)
Join the Eagles for the next home game Sunday at 4 pm as they face-off against the Trail Smoke Eaters followed by the post-game “SKATE WITH THE PLAYERS”.
