With the Eagles coming off the heartbreaker loss in O/T against the Chiefs three nights prior they are focused on making the two game road trip a success.
You might call the first game against Powell River not only a success, but a confidence builder played in front of 783 fans at the Hap Parker Arena knowing they can not only compete against the BCHL top clubs – but also win!!
The first of the game came after Wesley’s shot rebounded off the back boards bouncing to the left side wall and with Westgard pinching in he knocked a
flying puck out of the air.
Dangling off the boards he delivered a backhand pass to a waiting John Wesley on the right side of the net taking it on his backhand, dragging it to his forehand notching his 24th of the season past Paler-Chow giving the Eagles the early lead at 1:05 of the opening period.
The Eagles continued to press and a short 1:31 later that Babichuk kept the puck in on the left side hash marks sending it behind the net only to be re-directed by a Kings player trying to clear it out of the zone.
Danol intercepted the clearing pass managing to work the boards getting to the hashmarks on the right side that saw him skate to the top of the circle while surrounded by three Kings he sent a low wrist shot past a shocked Paler-Chow at 2:36 putting the Eagles up by two grabbing his 5th of the season.
Kings player Jonny Evans was assessed a holding minor putting the Eagles on the PP giving them the chance they were looking for to give them a comfortable lead.
Babichuk and Norton were working magic at the point at times switching sides that saw Babichuk slide one to Wesley who in turn returned the puck at the left point to Norton who sent one on net for the waiting Brushett putting the Eagles up at 15:13 for a comfortable 3-0 lead.
The Kings responded while on the PP with Merryman in the “sin-bin” at 15:30 getting them on the board pulling within two.
The first ended with the Eagles taking a 3-1 lead to the dressing room that saw Tallarico face nine shots, while Paler-Chow faced eight through 20 minutes.
The second saw the Eagles again come out with an early jump, but this play was completely unexpected by the Kings.
The play saw a a dumpin from the left side that saw the puck rink around the boards deep to the goal line to the stick of Buono who rather than throw the puck up the boards, he tried a back pass that took a strange bounce off the zamboni gate in the corner bouncing to the stick of Burgart who notches his 11th of the season.
Strange as it sounds, Greg and myself have spoken about the play of the boards in South Surrey and this is one that shocked not only the fans – but also the Kings broadcaster with a “WOW – THEY SCORED”!!
Gift or not it put the Eagles up by a 4-1 margin with lots of time for the Kings to amount any type of offense, which they did and the lead was short lived as at 4:13 the Kings got within two with Berard collecting his 15th of the season.
The second saw the Kings dominate in the shot department out-shooting the Eagles by a 11-9 margin, leading by a slim 20-17 after two.
The Kings pressed and it wasn’t until the 15:22 mark of the third that saw John Wesley collect his 25th of the season on a screen shot as Westgard was skating through the front of the crease giving the Eagles a comfortable 5-2 lead.
It’s obvious to say that this was a set play, one with precision timing on a goal that former BCMML Greater Vancouver Canadians goaltender Matteo Paler-Chow never had a chance on.
The Eagles were again outshot in the third by a 12-8 margin as well as outshot in the game by a 32-25 margin, but managed to solidify two points in the standings.
Kings tender Paler-Chow managed 20 saves on 25 shots while Tallarico held the fort with 30 saves on 32 shots through 60 minutes.
The have time to reflect on the win, rest overnight and head to Port Alberni to face the Bulldogs in a Sunday afternoon match-up for “Teddy Bear Toss Day” at the Weyerhaeuser Arena.
The Eagles are hoping to save the “Bears” by pulling out not only a win, but holding Alberni off the board.
FORTISBC PLAYER OF THE GAME
Kevin Obssuth (Kings)
The Eagles managed to grab all three Game Stars on the road with a convincing win
Three Stars:
1st John Wesley (2 Goals)
2nd Cory Babichuk (1 Assist)
3rd Nic Tallarico (30 Saves/ 32 Shots)
The Eagles return home Sunday December 10th for a 4 pm match-up against the Bulldogs.
Remember to bring your skates for “SKATE WITH THE EAGLES” immediately following the game.
