The Surrey Eagles entered the showcase in hopes of making amends for the double loss in PG
the previous weekend, but this proved more than they could handle.
The Eagles were looking for redemption from the previous game in which they outshot Salmon
Arm by a commanding 48-18 tally, so this game had meaning.
Trail started Tanner Marshall, while the Eagles had Davidson between the pipes with both
playing strong in the first as each team exchanged 11 shots on net.
For whatever reason the Eagles allowed Trail to control the second outshooting Surrey by a 15-7
margin as well as jumping out to a four goal spread after two.
The first came at 3:37 as Armour notched his 5th of the season and the final of the period was
caused by a poor clearing play allowing Ring get his 1st of the season seeing the Eagles head to
the dressing room trailing by four.
Returning for the third saw a goaltender change for the Eagles as they sent Alex Horawski to
take over in hopes of a redemption on the scoreboard.
It was Mackenzie Merriman who notched his 2nd of the season 37 second in after getting set up
from Wesley and Robert making it a 4-1 contest.
The Eagles pressed and directed shot after shot at the net forcing Marshall to make several key
stops, but it was Chase Danol who got his first of the season and was sent up with a tape to tape
pass by Nelson at 7:18 seeing the Eagles get their second of the game pulling within two.
The game changed as Trail managed to jump on a loose puck 23 seconds later with Howarth
collecting his 4th of the season giving Trail a 5-2 lead.
The Eagles pressed with shot after shot, but were simply unable to get one past Marshall only to
see Murphy break in on the left side,throwing it at the empty net putting the Smoke Eaters up by
a 6-2 tally at 15:54.
The play was interesting albeit a Trail goal as while on the back-check it was Eagles speedster
Domenic Masellis who narrowly missed tipping the puck into the corner preventing the goal, but
the best laid plans went astray.
The Eagles pressed, but it was too little too late only to see Trail pop in goal #7 at 17:22 with
Howarth getting his 5th of the season closing out any comeback sending Surrey away with a 7-2
loss.
The game was close, but in the end it was Trail that got more of the bounces and able to
capitalize on rebounds given up.
Both clubs traded 11 shots in the first, while Trail outshot the Eagles in the second by a 15-7
margin, but it was the Eagles who had the better chances in the third outshooting Trail by a 13-9
margin.
Final shots in the contest were 35-31 in favour of Trail to wrap up the 2017-18 BCHL Showcase
weekend.
Surrey faces Prince George September 29th on home ice with the face-off set for 7 pm.
Make plans to attend, as the first 250 fans get a memorable 2017-18 FRIDGE MAGNET!
FORTIS BC ENERGY PLAYER OF THE GAME
Desi Burgart
Game Stars:
1st Kale Howarth (Trail) (2 Goals/1 Assist)
2nd Troy Ring (Trail) ( 1 Goal/1 Assist)
3rd Levi Glasman (Trail) (3 Assists)
The Eagles travel to Merritt on Wednesday, September 27th as they take on the Centennials at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena. Face-off is set for 7 PM. Tune into Mixlr or Hockey TV to join Steve Erickson and Greg Balloch for the call of the game.
