Hockey
Too Little – Too Late
Say what you will, the Eagles were still riding a “high” from the ceremony for Jaxon Joseph two nights prior being full of confidence to motivate the entire roster.
Surrey were riding the “hot hand” of Cayden Bailey who has become an instant Instagram success from his Conor McGregor walk after the shoot-out win against PG two night’s prior.
Bailey has a GAA of 3.74 playing 225 minutes through 4 games thus far.
His counterpart at the opposite end was PG number one “tender” John Hawthorne who has played 334 minutes allowing 20 GA with a GAA of 3.60 through 6 games.
The game started out fast with Alberni in need of a win as they wrap up the end of a three game road trip through the Interior while ending it in South Surrey.
Chase Stevenson got the Eagles off to a fast start at 3:38 giving the fans something to cheer about early in the game after Westgard and Linell combined for helpers on the goal.
The first period saw the officials only forced to call three minors, two to Alberni and one to Surrey with the Eagles out shooting the Bulldogs by a 12-8 margin through 20 minutes.
The tempo seemed to change entering the second with Alberni getting some quality chances managing to out-shoot the Eagles by a 15 – 10 margin
Chase Stevenson gave the Eagles the go-ahead lead at the 5:54 mark, only to see Alberni get the tying goal a short 10 seconds later with Deelstra notching his first of the young season.
The tempo seemed to change at the 6:04 mark of the third as Shaw was ejected with a Major and a Game Misconduct for Charging putting the Bulldogs on a five minute PP, which they managed to cash in on.
Alberni were still hungry for a win as Evan Googins managed to collect a pair, the first at 9:35 and his third of the season at 16:49 as they managed to jump out to a two goal lead.
Alberni’s Valente was assessed a minor at the 17 minute mark putting the Eagles on the much needed PP that saw Surrey call a TO drawing up a play and whatever was drawn up worked getting the Eagles within one.
With Bailey on the bench in lew of an extra attacker the Eagles drew up a play, that realistically worked, but an unfortunate turnover at center allowed Mastrodonato to jump on the loose puck sending one in the gaping opening yawning cage.
The win sees Alberni head home with a 1 win and 2 losses on this three game road trip through the Interior, wrapping up in Surrey.
The Eagles played hard, tough and aggressive, but on a night where the “Fan’s” skate with the Eagles, it’ll be a long skate.
Surrey’s next opponent is Wednesday October 3rd in Coquitlam at 7 pm as they once again face the Coquitlam Express in hopes of pulling off the win.
FortisBC Energy Player of the Game
Ty Westgard (3 Assists)
Three Stars:
1st Evan Googins (2 Goals)
2nd Chase Stevenson (2 Goals)
3rd Isaac Tonkin-Palmer (1 Goal/1 Assist)
The Eagles return home for a pair of games October 6th at 7 pm against the Coquitlam Express and October 7th as they square off against the Merritt Centennials for a 4 pm face-off.
Thanks to everyone who came out for the first Skate With The Eagles in 2018.