Following the impressive 5-3 win over the Kings has the Eagles head to Alberni Valley to take on the Bulldogs who are in the Island Division sitting in 4th position with a record of 8-15-2-4 through 21 games, while the Eagles hold down 3rd in the Mainland Division with an impressive record of 15-12-3-1 through 21 games.
The Bulldogs put Hawthorne between the pipes, while the Eagles changed tenders putting returning Davidson between the pipes who was focused at keeping the road wins going.
While the Eagles are looking at pulling out a “W” stealing both games, the Bulldogs have sights set on entertaining the 884 who come with Teddy Bears in hand to toss them to the ice following the Bulldog’s first goal.
The manner in which the game started, the fans were wondering if ever they would have a chance to “Toss the Bears” as the Eagles were stingy in the goal department.
The first came on a poor clearing play up the middle by the Bulldogs only to be intercepted by Campese who threw one at the net only to have it blocked and bounce off the back boards.
The ensuing bounce went on the stick of waiting Jeffrey Stewart who sailed one out front on the right side to Bruchett who dangled around one defender going forehand to backhand slipping one low on the ice on the left past a surprised Hawthorne notching his 10th of the season a short 2:41 in.
Both teams traded chances and it wasn’t until Alberni gave the Eagles the first PP chance of the game with Westgard stealing a clearing pass on the right side quickly jumped on by Sundquist that saw pretty much four Eagles play “Tether Ball” out front that eventually saw Babichuk send the free puck to Norton at the point.
As we have seen in the past Norton has some special moves that we are privy to watch and with him walking in from the left point he slipped past two Alberni forwards hammering one top corner far side getting his 12th of the season giving the Eagles a 2-0 lead on the PP at 10:04 with Wesley and Babichuk getting the helpers.
The entertaining period ended with the clubs trading 15 shots, but for the Alberni fans – still no Teddy Bears to Toss.
The second started with the Eagles continuing where they left off after one with and with the face-off in the attacking zone on the left side Burgart won the draw pulling it back to the right point to Norton who faked a shot, then went to the right side slipping it through traffic to Burgart who faked the first shot, them hammered it top left corner grabbing his 12th of the season.
Interesting enough that the goal was first waved off, but after consultation the officials and the announcers called it a goal.
The assists on the goal were given to Wesley and Westgard and not being “picky” in the assist department, Norton was robbed from another assist on the play, but it’s easy to watch second-hand and in stop time.
Still no “Teddy Bears” and one could sense that the fans were getting restless and given the fact the Bulldogs had several chances Davidson played strong between the pipes keeping the “Bears” in the stands with the fans sensing a sense of urgency.
As if three goals weren’t enough the fourth of the game with four Eagles charged the net with Robert breaking in on the left side creating havoc in the crease allowing White to grab his 6th of the season at 8:57 giving the Eagles a comfortable 4-0 lead.
The next goal came off a quick 60 second timeout following the face-off at 11:15 saw Stewart draw the puck to the goal line slipping it out front to Brushett who collected his second of the game and 11th of the season.
Not long after the Eagles had a commanding 5-0 lead the Bulldogs sent the “Teddy Bears” flying to the ice the first by Welsh while on the PP at 14:37 with his second of the game at 17:57 rounding out the final score of the second with the Eagles leading by a 5-2 margin.
The fast paced period saw the Eagles outshot the Bulldogs by a 22-20 margin with both “tenders” being overworked time and time again.
The Bulldogs pressed in the third, but neither could muster up a goal until Danol managed to notch his 6th of the season after a shot from the point by Robert.
Danol was challenging the net being tied up like he was in a line up for Christmas shopping, but managed to do an impressive 360 degree spin slipping behind the “D-man” for the final goal of the game that saw the Eagles head home with an impressive two convincing wins on the road trip to the Island.
Special teams saw the Eagles manage one goal on two chances (50%) while the Bulldogs went one goal on six chances for 17% throughout the game.
The win moves the Eagles sitting in sole position of third place, one behind PG and only four behind the Rivermen who they square off against Friday in Langley at the George Preston Arena.
FORTIS BC PLAYER OF THE GAME
Ryan Steele (1 Assist)
THREE STARS:
1st) Ryan Brushett (2 Goals)
2nd) John Wesley (2 Assists)
3rd) Connor Welsh (2 Goals)
Be sure to listen to the call of the game Friday from Langley as Steve and Greg as the Eagles look at closing the four point gap with the Rivermen.
Remember to join the Eagles for the “SKATE WITH THE EAGLES” following the game Sunday December 10th with the face-off set for 4 pm.
