Say what you will about the Eagles players, the chatter for the previous couple of days prior to the Teddy Bear Toss was unique and intriguing at the best of times.
Some like myself and Greg were actually talking about who would score and what time it might be, but to have it happen as it did, simply shocked us!!
Rather than the usual 7 pm start time both teams agreed to start about ten past as there were still several out front waiting to get in, considering the 1,281 we wanting to “throw the Teddy Bears”, which was simply awesome to watch.
Hosting the Island league leading Kings would be a task unto itself, but considering the Eagles defeated them 5-2 December 2nd this game was somewhat of a motivation for the guys.
The Kings number one “tender” Mitch Adamyk was attending and playing at the 2017 World Junior A Challenge, thus they were relying on Paler-Chow to hold down the fort, while the Eagles went with Davidson, considering that Tallarico played in the previous meeting.
With fans continuing to come through the turnstiles, Masellis fed Burgart who in turn wasted no time springing Wesley free breaking in from the blueline slipping past one defender then sending the one everyone was waiting for over the shoulder of Paler-Chow sending the “Teddy Bears” flying to the ice.
Never mind Greg with him on horn duty, I actually forgot where I put my Bear’s and it took a second to find them, but when I did, I sent them flying like I was an outfielder playing for the Blue Jays picking off the winning run.
Let’s not forget that the fans were still coming in when the first goal went in, but when the second goal went in at 54 seconds, it completely caught everyone off guard – again.
With play in the attacking zone Schiavon peppered one in on the right side with Sundquist making no mistake tipping it past Paler-Chow giving the Eagles a 2-0 in less than a minute, which must be a record for the Eagles.
Kings Volpe notched his first of the night at 7:50 allowing the Kings to pull within one, but at 9:25 Burgard put regained the two goal lead.
With Westgard in the left corner he sent a behind the net pass to Wesley who slid it under the stick of a King’s defender to Desi Burgart who collected his 13th of the season while on the PP.
The cheer from the crowd after the goal was for Burgart who collided with Volpe at the side of the net knocking him to the ice, that had some of the Kings staff wondering why no call?
The push must have motivated Volpe as he notched his 4th of the season two minutes later at 11:25 pulling the Kings within one.
The first ended with the Eagles taking a 3-2 lead to the dressing room with Paler-Chow facing 17 shots as Davidson faced 16, some of which were quality.
The Kings were pressing in on the left side but gave up a turnover and Aaron white jumped on the loose puck going across the ice to the left side inside the blueline using Buono as a screen sent a wrister over the shoulder of Paler-Chow putting the Eagles up by a 4-1 tally.
The next goal came off the charts like playing Tic-Tac-Toe with your Grandmother was an exceptional three-way passing play started by Westgard in the middle as he slid one to the right side to Wesley who managed to thread the needle with a precision pass to Burgart who went left to right sliding one in the open cage giving the Eagles a comfortable 5-2 lead at the 9:45 mark of the second.
Kings forward Findlater notched one for the Kings making it a 5-3 game at 12:49 of the mid period, but that was the way the second would end.
With the shots being relatively close the second saw the Kings manage 17 on Davidson while Paler-Chow faced 13 for a two period total of 20.
The Eagles weren’t finished yet and they continued to press at the start of the third with Norton slipping one up the middle to Campese who dished one on the left side to Brushett who notched his 12th of the season while on the PP.
With the Eagles leading by double digits (6-3) Ross sent one off the back boards to the waiting White on the left post who notched his 2nd of the game and 8th of the season giving the Eagles a more than comfortable 7-3 lead at 7:40 of the third.
The Eagles managed to grab their 8th and final goal of the game a short 48 seconds later (8:28) as Stewart took a pass from Babichuk at his puck at his blueline dangling down the left side pulling within 20 feet of Paler-Chow sliding one cross ice to Brushett who managed to get his 13th of the season.
The Kings managed to get one final goal of the game from Buono, but on this night Santa wasn’t going to play Grinch as the Eagles stole an impressive 8-4 victory on home ice in front of a sell-out crowd.
Jolly ole St. Nick came to be entertained and entertained he was as he watched Davidson turn aside 41 of the 45 shots faced, while Paler-Chow was shell-shocked facing 47 shots turning away 39 through 60 minutes.
It’s interesting to note that the Eagles got productivity from the entire roster, but it was Burgart, White, Brushett who each collected a pair of goals.
FORTISBC PLAYER OF THE GAME
JACKSON ROSS (1 Assist)
THREE STARS:
1st Ryan Brushett (2 Goals)
2nd Aaron White (2 Goals)
3rd Callum Volpe (2 Goals)
The Eagles pack up the gear and head to Langley to play the Rivermen in less than 24 hours in hopes of making the Grinch steal the show.
The Eagles next home game is January 7th against the Trail Smoke Eaters, so make plans to attend.
On-behalf of Greg, myself and the Surrey Eagles thanks to everyone for making this year’s Teddy Bear Toss a huge success and making a better Christmas better and brighter for others!!!
RECAP: Wesley's goal 27 seconds into the game sent the teddy bears flying, as the Eagles crowned the Powell River Kings 8-4 on Friday night! Burgart, White, and Brushett each scored a pair of their own, and Sundquist added his 4th of the year. Davidson stopped 43 in goal. pic.twitter.com/bs0ozcgeIV
— Surrey Eagles (@SurreyEagles) December 16, 2017
