The Surrey Eagles entered tonight’s contest with a vengeance after losing their first game against the Wenatchee Wild in overtime. The home team soared with confidence and determination, coming out on top in a five-goal beating of the BCHL’s best hockey club.
The Wild’s Anthony Yamnistky got the win last Sunday, but after the first nine shots, he was pulled for letting three pucks get by. Surrey’s Micheal Botiz stopped all but one Thursday night; 32 of 33 shots to be exact.
“I treated this game like it was a ‘fun’ game, playing the top team in the league,” said Botiz when asked if he felt any pressure between the pipes. “It’s an opportunity to get two points against a really good team, so it was a fun experience and not a lot of pressure for sure.”
The home team played a memorable first period, scoring the first of the frame as Robert Johnson’s initial shot led to a tip-in by rookie sensation Nick Fea to net his fourth of the year. After Logan Mostat saw the goal, he created a deja-vu moment for Surrey, scoring the exact same way off of Desi Burgart’s initial shot. Cory Babichuk was awarded the second assist to Mostat’s goal and would also grab the lone helper to Ashton Calder’s poke in front of the Wild cage, recording his first and second points of his BCHL career. The goal would force the Wild coaching staff to replace Yamnitsky with Morgan Kelly. Wenatchee would score one of their own and the Eagles had a 3-1 lead after 20 minutes.
Babichuk’s night wasn’t finished, capitalizing at the right moment on a power-play opportunity. A critical pass to the point led to a powerful wrister, and #55 scored his first BCHL goal halfway through the middle frame.
“Calder just threw it out in front and I had some guys wide open, but I felt confident in my shot and I went for it,” said Babichuk talking about how he came to score his milestone goal.
The Eagles regained the three-goal lead, leading to some late period frustration by Wenatchee. Surrey would keep the same score going into the final period of play.
Surrey’s powerful defense would come into play as Jeffrey Stewart blocked five shots, all on two penalty kills. Wenatchee pulled Kelly halfway through the third, allowing Captain Paul McAvoy to net his fifth of the season. Alternate captain Darius Davidson, two minutes later, found an open net for his team-leading 10th goal of the year and the Eagles would end the Wild’s win-streak.
“Not a lot of guys were surprised,” said Babichuk after beating the Wenatchee Wild in regulation. “We’re starting to do more systems and I think that’s really helping. A lot of guys are simplifying their game and we’re getting really better.”
Surrey’s record improves to 4-7-2-0, while Wentachee drops to 10-1-1-0.
Surrey swept the Three Stars tonight; Cory Babichuk earned the First with three points (one goal, two assists), while Michael Botiz and Darius Davidson were awarded the Second and Third stars respectively.
Jeffrey Stewart was once again dominant in the face-off circle and a critical component on the Eagles penalty kill; he was rewarded with the Fortis BC Energy Player of the Game.
The Surrey Eagles will now embark on a four-game road trip to face three different hockey clubs. The boys will migrate north, playing two games against the Prince George Spruce Kings this Saturday (Oct. 22nd) and Sunday (Oct. 23rd). After two-days rest, Surrey will soar eastward to the Okanagan, where they’ll battle the Penticton Vees next Wednesday (Oct. 26th). The fourth and final stop will be local as the green and white fly into Langley to take on the Rivermen on Saturday (Oct. 29th); the game will be broadcast LIVE with puck-drop at 6PM at the George Preston Arena.
