The last time that the Eagles played against Trail was in September at the BCHL Showcase weekend in Chilliwack that saw the Smoke Eaters control the game as well as skate away with 2 points.
Playing on home ice and with it being Olympic size, one would assume that it would favour the home squad, in addition to having a large crowd on hand – albeit not all Eagle supporters.
Entering the game would see Trail start Marcoux with a record of 7-21 through 31 games played both in Cowichan and Trail, while the Eagles would start Tallarico with a record of 10-3-0 through 17 games.
The Eagles would be without the services of Masellis (inj), Campese (susp), Robert (inj) and Babichuk (inj), but the return of Westgard would reunite their top line of Burgart, Wesley and Ty.
With these players out of the line-up they called up Brendan Saether of the Mission City Outlaws of the PJHL and Max Mohegan (Valley West Hawks) who played the previous night in Chilliwack and has also committed to the Eagles for next season to fill the spots
Trail was successful in pulling of victories in their first two of three games to the coast over Coquitlam and Langley, but this game would force them to play not only a full sixty minutes, but also require a full team effort.
They did manage to get off to a strong start grabbing the first and only goal in the first period at 6:32 with Glasman getting his 18th of the season putting them up by one, while being outshot by a 10-7 margin.
The second was more wide-open with the teams trading a pair of goals, but Trail did manage to get their second of the game at 3:55 with Jones notching his 12th of the season.
Interesting to note that in a pre-game conversation with Stewart, I was “razzing” him about missing on a penalty shot the previous night in Chilliwack to which he had mentioned “I’ll get you one in this game” and true to his word that is what he did.
While on the PP the Eagles threw shot after shot at Marcoux sending the puck to the right side of the next with three Eagles jumping on the loose puck that saw it somehow get behind a shocked Marcoux, pulling them within one.
The goal would be credited to Stewart that saw him collect his 12th of the season with an assist going to Brushett who notched his 14th assist of the season.
The first goal sparked the Eagles who controlled the play in all areas of the ice and it wasn’t until the mid-point of the period (10:08) that would see them tie the game at two.
Eagles speedster Desi Burgart flew down the ice on the right side getting in the attacking zone managing to cut to the left at the top of the circle that saw him fire a bullet that eluded Marcoux, that saw assists on the play go to Brushett and Schiavon.
As fast as the Eagles tied the game at two it took only 12 seconds for the Smoke Eaters to jump out front with Byers getting an unassisted goal and notching his third of the season, giving Trail a 3-2 lead.
The second ended with the teams trading ten shots each that would lead to an open, fast skating and exciting third period.
White created a turnover inside his blue line on the right side and “chipped” it forward to Sundquist at the center line who flew down the right side throwing the puck on net that took a bounce back on the stick of White who tipped it past Marcoux tying the game at 6:29.
Norton was given credit on the goal, but his hard work would be needed later in the game as well.
The see-saw battle between two strong, fast skating teams remained tied but only until the 15:40 mark that would see Ring put the Smoke Eaters up by one.
The Eagles called a T/O that saw the coaching staff pull out the trick learned from Houdini and with Tallarico heading to the net at 1:02 it was six on five.
They continued to throw fire power at the net that saw all the hard work pay off a short 3:28 later that would see them dump the puck in the right corner with the puck “gliding” from the left corner to the right on the stick of Norton who kept the play alive.
He in turn slide it behind the net to Westgard, who traded it to Wesley and with a quick flip of his wrist he fed Schiavon at the point.
A quick look from Schiavon who saw an open Burgart between the has marks turned and threw it forward to Stewart who collected his second of the game (11th of the season) roofed it past Marcoux that would see the game go to O/T while on the PP.
Following the traditional time between periods it was excitement at its best with each team sending four key players to see who would grab the spellbinding game winning goal.
The extra period saw Norton keep the play alive at the blue-line sending it to the corner only to see Westgard knock it out of the air as if he was playing Roger Federer in a “Match Set” at Wimbledon.
Not only did he knock it down he alluded two defending players along the boards changing direction along the boards and while facing the net, he impressed the 909 fans in attendance by dishing a behind the body “no look” pass to Winfree (3rd of the season) who sent one “top shelf” over the shoulder of Marcoux giving the Eagles the O/T victory.
The place erupted and the Eagles flew off the bench as if they had won the lottery with everyone swarming him like “bees to honey.”
The game itself was one of the more entertaining games of the season that was not only a win, but like a “team bonding” event that had some asking if this is the same team we will see January 12th when they play the Rivermen at the “Nest”?
Why – BCHL trade deadline is set for January 12th and no different than other team’s it’s about putting together a winning team and given what Greg and I were privy to see on this night – they have the pieces needed to move forward.
FORTISBC PLAYER OF THE GAME
Cody Schiavon (2 Assists)
Three Stars:
1st Jeffrey Stewart (2 Goals)
2nd Ryan Brushett (2 Assists)
3rd Levi Glasman (1 Goal)
Following the Sunday post-game skate with the Eagles was much more enjoyable given the win and a confidence builder that now moves the Eagles to sole possession of second with PG and Langley tied in the standings with 46 points with a record of 20-14-4-2 through 40 games.
The Eagles next face Langley Friday January 12th at the “Nest” at 7 pm and let’s not forget that their last meeting saw the Eagles defeat the Rivermen on home ice three night prior.
