Hockey
Tallarico Stands Tall
In a game that featured division rivals Surrey played host to Salmon Arm who were also in need of a win, but for Eagles “tender” Nic Tallarico this win was extra special.
The fast paced game was entertaining with the Eagles controlling much of the opening five minutes throwing six shots at Kyle Dumba while the Silverbacks were unable to get any on Nic Tallarico.
The opening goal however came off the stick of Thomas at 10:44 giving Salmon Arm the early lead which they would take to the dressing room after one.
Despite the fact Tallarico was shotless in the first part of the period he was hammered with 13 through the first while Dumba faced 10 quality shots forcing him to make save after save keeping his squad up by one.
The second started with more aggressive play by the Eagles, but a forced turnover allowed Mitchell to put his squad up by two at the 3:49 mark.
Surrey’s Jeffrey Stewart carried the puck down the right side cutting to the middle forcing Dumba to make a save giving a rebound that saw a scramble take place that saw Robert jump on the loose puck getting the Eagles on the board at 5:10 and within one.
The Eagles continued to press, but to the shock of those attend it was Wakeford who put Salmon Arm up 3-1 at 7:30 of the period.
Surrey continued to press and it was Westgard who worked magic behind the net feeding Wesley who put a no-look pass to Winfree at the right point who
Shots in the second were reversed with Surrey outshooting Salmon Arm by a 13-8 margin while controlling the shots through two by 23-21.
The third would be the Eagles performance they were looking for again controlling the shots with several key chance that narrowly missed.
The Eagles set up for the face-off with a right shot (Ross) on the left point and a left shot (Masellis) on the right side in hopes of jumping on any rebound out the middle.
I continue to mention that penalties can prove costly and in this case it was the Silverbacks who took an untimely minor allowing the Eagles to get the chance they needed.
White took the draw and got it back to Ross at the point who threw it at the net that saw Dumba give a huge rebound that came out front to White who put a nifty shot along the ice on the right side getting his third of the season tying the game at three.
Salmon Arm found themselves in penalty trouble giving the more disciplined Surrey Eagles squad several chances to climb back and given the explosive speed it was only a matter of time for Surrey to take control.
With the game tied both teams were forced to play a more tentative style of game that was extremely entertaining for the 878 on hand to take in the game.
With the game headed to O/T both clubs knew the pressure was on and most knew that this would be won by sheer talent and skill rather than a “gift” from above.
O/T saw the Eagles Aaron White send a short cross pass to Jackson Ross who started up ice, then made an unorthodox 360 degree turn only to see him start over from his own blueline setting things up again.
Whatever the reason he must have thought that it simply wasn’t going to work, but this time he made it work.
Ross got past one defender in the neutral zone then cut to the left side 40 feet out that saw him deliver a quick one-timer past a screened Dumba who had no chance to stop the bullet off the stick of Ross.
Surrey continues to add points in the standings and many in the area have come extremely familiar with the speed displayed by various Eagle players.
The Eagles speed, no-quick attitude allows them to show the hockey world what they are offering and in yet another O/T game, while the Eagles won – it’s the fans who are the real winners!!
FORTISBC ENERGY PLAYER OF THE GAME
JACKSON ROSS 1 GOAL
THREE STARS:
1st Aaron White (1 Goal/1 Assist)
2nd Grayson constable (2 Assists)
3rd Perry Winfree (1 Goal)
Special Teams
Surrey 1 goal on 3 PP chances
Salmon Arm 1 goal on 5 PP chances
Surrey returns to the “Nest” Sunday October 28th for a 4 pm game against Prince George