Clinching a playoff spot might seem easy, but the injury riddled Surrey Eagles, they took the long road finally clinching 4th spot in the BCHL Mainland Division that would see them up against the Langley Rivermen.

The Eagles finished one point shy (62) of the Rivermen (63) through the 58 game schedule managing to finish with 189 GF allowing 208 GA, while the Rivermen sported a record of 168 GF allowing 183 GA, but entering the playoffs, it’s a new season.

The later part of the schedule saw the Eagles forced to go with a less than productive crew, while relying on the “big guns” to pull them through.

This game plan seems relatively easy, but say what you will it was the  entire squad that stepped up and played like they were playing for a season ending bonus.

While the Rivermen would be a tough opponent, it would be the “traveling fans” that would be the extra player cheering the team on to victory in not one, but both games at Langley’s old Civic Centre.

Over the season the fans have been the “heart and soul” of the squad, some traveling others coming out in full support knowing that their Eagles would indeed soar high into the upcoming playoff rounds.

The Eagles would start Mario Cavaliere who was entering with a GAA of 3.83 through 12 games allowing 45 GA through 704 minutes played with Daniel Davidson waiting for his call should he be needed.

From the start the game was tight checking and to the surprise of no one, the first ended scoreless with the shots being even at eight through 20 minutes.

Langley’s St. Jean managed to get the Rivermen on the board at the 4:29 mark bringing the hometown crowd to life, but stingy as they are the Eagles fought hard and replied at 9:49 of the second, a short 20 seconds into the PP.

Press as they do the Eagles have had a hard time finding the back of the net while on the PP saw Norton setup Wesley who worked a give and go not once, but twice and on the third pass, saw Wesley let it slide through his legs to Burgart who hammered one past a shocked Fleming.

On an innocent looking play that developed that saw Merriman work the puck in the right corner, Sundquist stole the puck managing to dangle behind the net cutting out front on the left side sending one top shelf putting the Eagles up 2-1 with more to follow.

As talented and  skilled as they are at times it looks like the Eagles could pull a rabbit out of a hat and regardless if they are on the PP or playing SH, they can do it all.

With the Rivermen pressing on the PP they tried to shovel one from the right point to the left point, but the cross ice pass was intercepted by Westguard who broke in one on one creating a showdown with Fleming.

The ensuing open ice breakaway saw Westgard get hooked from the blue line in and while being hauled down, he pulled the puck to the left and roofed one over a demoralized and shock Fleming, putting the Eagles in control while killing a minor.

The second saw the Rivermen outshot the Eagles by a narrow 8-6, leading by a slight 16-14 after two periods.

The third saw both teams have several chances, but try as they might, the Rivermen were unable to penetrate the stingy and strong defensive play of the Eagles and as one might expect frustrations began to boil as the final buzzer sounded.

Motivation can be contagious and with the Eagles flying from the win in game one, it was be no surprise that this would carry over for game two.

Stats for the game has the Eagles manage 1-5 on the PP keeping the Rivermen off the stat column going 0-3 also on the PP through 60 minutes.

FortisBC Energy Player of the Game

Trevor St. Jean (1 Goal/1 Assist)

Three Stars:

1st Ty Westgard (1 Goal)

2nd Desi Burgart ( 1 Goal)

3rd Alec Capstick (1 Goal)

The win not only gives the Eagles a 1-0 series lead, but is more of a motivational “tool” knowing that they are capable of playing stunning, entertaining and winning hockey!

Stay tuned – they aren’t done yet!!