Photo by Garrett James
Following the impressive 4-3 win over Prince George two nights prior, it was important for the Surrey Eagles to keep things moving forward as they head into the weeks and months ahead.
The Victoria Grizzlies would be hungry for a victory given the fact that the three game road trip proved unsuccessful for the first pair in the Interior.
With losses coming at the hands of Trail with (a close 5-4 game) followed by a 4-2 loss to the Penticton Vees the following night had Victoria searching for the ever-needed road win.
Growing the fanbase is what the Eagles are doing and in rapid succession as well and given the fact that attendance is up by a huge percentage a winning product is essential for their success.
Victoria started Shawn Parkinson between the pipes while the Eagles continued to run with Daniel Davidson who currently has the “hot hand” in goal.
Bench Boss Brandon West was hoping to get the jump on a tired Victoria squad, but the the Grizzlies had other ideas and managed to get the first marker at 1:11 with Rome notching his 7th of the season.
Surrey continued to press hammering 11 shots at Parkinson keeping Victoria to one less and it wasn’t until the 17:30 mark when Ryan Brushett notched his 2nd of the season tying the game at one.
The second saw both teams play a tighter defensive style of play, but in the end it was the Eagles that narrowly outshot the Grizzlies by a slim 8-7 margin.
Victoria again got the first marker of the period at 10:10 with Alexander getting his 2nd of the season and matching number for number it was Eagles forward Chase Danol that also got his 2nd of the season at 14:45 tying the game at two.
It proved to be a battle in the neutral zone with both clubs showing no signs of letting up in their defensive zone, but eventually Surrey’s Aaron White notched his 2nd of the season at 18:22 putting Surrey up by a 3-2 margin after two.
Giveaways proved costly for both teams in the third, but Eagles speedster John Wesley was sent in from Desi Burgart and Jackson Ross at 12:42 allowing him to notch his 12th of the season allowing Surrey to double up on the scoreboard.
Victoria fought a hard fight, but allowed a turnover which Ty Westgard jumped on grabbing his 5th of the season sending one in the open cage at 19:24 bringing the fans to their feet knowing a victory was seconds away.
Special teams were hard to find, especially since Victoria went 0-5, and keept the Eagles 1-7 through 60 minutes. Despite coming out on the losing end the Grizzlies managed to outshoot Surrey by a 40-30
margin.
FORTIS BC Player of the Game
John Wesley (1 Goal) (Full 60 minute game)
Three Stars:
1st Daniel Davidson (40 SA/38SV)
2nd Ty Westgard (1 Goal/1 Assist)
3rd Ryan Brushett (1 Goal)
Surrey hits the road for a pair of games October 20th in Wenatchee (7:05 PM) and October 21st in Vernon at 6 PM.
The Eagles return home for three (3) weekend games, first on home ice October 27th against Salmon Arm followed by a road game in Coquitlam October 28th, followed by the final game of October on the 29th against Prince George at 4 PM.
All home games are played at the South Surrey Arena
