Kings Crown Eagles 6-2

The Eagles look to make changes as they move forward after coming off a 6-2 loss to Victoria in the last home game of October as they enter the third month of the season.

Dumba will start between the pipes having played  9 games through 524 minutes with a SV% of 4.24, while his counterpart at the other end of the ice sees Hayden Missler in the blue paint.

Home ice hasn’t normally been the best start for the Eagles so far and given the injury “bug” that has hit the team, it goes to say that they are looking at turning things around for the month of November.

This game also features three AP players in the roster, two of which are from the PJHL with the third from the Burnaby Winter Club.

We can’t go without mentioning young speedster John Evans looking at making his mark throughout the game and given his talent, he’ll be a player for other teams to have listed under the radar as he moves forward.

Try as they might, the Eagles gave the Kings far too many chances in the first allowing them to steal a 3-1 score heading to the dressing room forcing each “tender” to make some stellar stops.

The Eagles managed a solid three-way passing play in the last minute with Barnes breaking in on the right side sliding one cross ice to Clifton who in turn slid it to Katzalay who pulled the Eagles within two at the 19:13 mark as the first was wrapping up.

To my liking Dumba is his own worst enemy and at times “gets down” on himself then manages to reset getting himself back in the game after one.

As they enter the second the Eagles had quality chances at the first part of the period, but try as they might the Kings managed to get their 4th of the game at the 3:41 mark with Kawamura getting his 3rd of the early season.

Following the fourth goal for the Kings it was all they wrote for Dumba who was replaced by Bailey who was forced to make several close in shots many of which were unexpected, but nonetheless well timed.

While the first was close the end result saw the Kings out-shoot the Eagles by a 15-11 margin, but to the Eagles credit they had other shots that simply missed the net, either high over-top or wide missing by a few feet.

The second was more of a tight checking game with both having several close in chances with the Eagles trading shots managing 13 keeping the Kings to a only 11 through the 40 minutes.

Following the game the conversation was about the “lack of” shots not just at the net, but simply a lack of shots – period.

The third was more of a “full game” for the Kings with returning former Surrey Eagle Ryan Brushett managing to get his 10th of the early season.

The third saw more “rough play” by both teams, but the majority of play in the Eagles end as they were only allowed 4 – yes 4 shots on goal through the 20 minutes.

The Kings on the other hand were no different as they only managed 8 shots through the 20 minutes, which shocked many in the building.

The Eagles had a couple of close in chances in the third, especially with a two-man advantage, but only managed to put one on goal to the frustration of the close to 500 fans on hand on the soggy, dreary west coast night.

The Eagles next opponent are the Trail Smoke Eaters who are no doubt hungry for a victory as they move forward.

FortisBC Player of the Game

Holden Katzalay

Three Stars:

1st) Ty Westgard (1G/0A)

2nd) Christian Buono (2G/1A)

3rd) Ryan Brushett (2G/0A)

Join the Eagles for a Skate With The Eagles following the game Sunday at 4 pm

On a timely note –

DON’T FORGET TO TURN THE CLOCK BACK SATURDAY NIGHT!!!