The Eagles come off a pair of tough losses in a home and home series against the Rivermen first on home ice Friday then in Langley the following night extremely focused on turning the tables on all upcoming opponents.
The Eagles went with the “hot hand” of Cayden Bailey while the Express sent Kolby Matthews between the pipes with both clubs looking at rebounding from previous losses.
First on the radar were the Express in an afternoon match-up Sunday with hopes that Jeremy Smith could continue his productivity and truer words were never spoken.
The game started out with the Express having numerous chances but it wasn’t until the 7:54 mark of the opening period that Smith hammered a cross-ice pass from Schiavon while on the PP to take get the first of the game.
The first all but belonged to the Express out-shooting the Eagles by a 13-9 margin with Bailey forced to make several key stops keeping the Eagles up by the one goal margin after one.
Try as they might the Express were unable to get one past Bailey as Kimens went in one on one after a stretch up the middle only to be turned aside the impressive play of Bailey.
The Express tied the game, but again it was Smith that split a pair of Express players on the right side sending one cross-ice allowing Schiavon to give the Eagles a 2-1 lead 43 seconds later.
View From The Booth
Both teams “tenders” played exceptional, but again the Express rebounded to tie the game at two.
With the period drawing to a close Smith delivered a heavy check keeping the puck in the zone sending it to the front of the net as it bounced from player to play, but the end result saw it bounce off the crossbar to Santa Juana who put it top shelf giving the Eagles a 3-2 lead after two.
An area of concern for the Eagles is simply a lack of shots at the net and again it was the Express that controlled the shot department by 15-9 through two.
For a change the third belonged to the Eagles with the first of three coming off the stick of McKim who collected his 2nd of the season at the 2:19 taking a commanding 4-2 lead.
Focus was the game plan heading in the third as well as driving to the net and it wasn’t until 14:51 that Feldman got his 3rd of the season after being set-up from Hayles and Gray while on the PP with time on their side.
Pressure was clearly on the Express and with time running down they pulled Matthews for the extra attacker on two separate occasions in addition to utilizing their T/O only to be turned aside.
As the period was drawing to a close it was Gurney who broke in on the left side putting the finishing touch on the victory for the Eagles pulling out a 6-2 victory.
The Eagles explosive play worked magic managing 4-9 on the PP, while the Express were 1-6 that saw Matthews face 29 shots with Bailey facing 39 through the 60 minutes
FortisBC Energy Player of the Game
Jeremy Smith (1G/1A)
Three Stars:
1st Cody Schiavon (1G/1A)
2nd Cayden Bailey (39SA/37SV)
3rd Regan Kimens
Surrey hits the road for a mid-week game against Penticton Wednesday followed by a return match against the Vee’s Saturday November 24th on home ice.
Tickets can be purchased at the box office or by calling (604) 531 GOAL (4625)
RECAP: The Eagles struck early and often on Sunday afternoon in Coquitlam. Defencemen Cody Schiavon and Jeremy Smith paced the way with two points each, en route to a thrilling 6-2 win over the Express. Cayden Bailey was stellar once again in goal making 37 saves. pic.twitter.com/tRA56lMHQN
— Surrey Eagles (@SurreyEagles) November 19, 2018
