Two short days following the ever dreaded trade deadline the Eagles are back in business putting display one of their three newest members acquired from Georgetown.
Remembering that prior to Christmas the team hosted the annual “Teddy Bear Toss” this night would become known as “Underwear and Sock Toss Night” that would see these garments (all new in packages) tossed to the ice following the Eagles first goal of the game.
All proceeds are being donated to the local homeless and in addition the 50/50 will be benefiting the Surrey Firefighters Charitable Society all in support for great charities.
The Eagles hit the ice with the first one out through the “Flying Eagle” Mario Cavaliere, the team’s newest “tender” from Georgetown Ontario who had two hectic travel days making his way to the “Nest” following the news he was “On The Road Again” moving west.
To him (Cavaliere) the news came as somewhat of a surprise, but not a complete shock, but his thoughts were that he would be moving to another team in the area, not travel as far west – but he certainly has no regrets.
While he was at one end, the Rivermen started their number one tender Fleming who at first seemed poised to be “up” for this, but his dream would soon be shattered.
A poor shot attempt from the point saw an impressive stick check by Danol who pushed the puck past the “D-man” into the neutral zone sending him in alone on Fleming who buried it low on the stick side at 12:37 putting the Eagles on the board and also sent the “Underwear and Socks” flying to the ice.
While Greg and I were happy to see the first goal, we can honestly state that this is the first time we have ever seen Underwear and Socks thrown on the ice in such a fashion.
The first ended with the Eagles up by a 1-0 margin and outshooting the Rivermen by a 13-7 margin controlling much of the play in both ends of the ice.
Stewart started the rush out of his zone down the left side dumping the puck in the left corner that created a turnover that allowed Merriman to jump on the loose puck sliding it to Stewart who in turn dumped it out front to Ross who collected his 4th of the season.
One would think the early goals was a manner in which to welcome the newest member to the roster and control the play is what they did not only in the first, but also outshooting the Rivermen by a 15-8 margin in the second.
One could sense that the third would be a different period for the Rivermen and they came out with more jump than we saw in the first two but try as they might it was the Eagles who controlled the scoreboard.
The Rivermen were caught on a poor clearing play inside their blueline that narrowly missed the stick of Westgard which was followed by a hard pass that took a bounce ending up on the stick of Brushett who fed Merriman between the hash marks.
He wasted no time with a quick release hammering one on Fleming that bounced out front to the waiting Stewart who pounced on the rebound ending the night for Fleming and giving the Eagles a huge 3-0 lead at 5:40 of the third.
With Fleming on the bench the Rivermen sent in “backup” Keaton Dyck who was forced to eventually make several more key saves to keep the Eagles getting too many more on the board.
The Eagles sent the puck in the left corner from the draw that saw Burgart out race the defender to the puck sending it off the back boards to Brushett who slipped a back pass to Steward who send one over a sprawled Dyck getting his second of the game at 5:53 only 13 seconds later.
With the Eagles up by a commanding 4-0 lead they maintained the lead until the 11:32 mark when Steward broke down the left side cutting to the middle sending a “nifty” drop pass to Merriman who drew the defenders to his side that saw him slide one to the left side to Brushett who hammered the fifth and final goal past Dyck that sent the water bottle bouncing off the net.
This night was more of a welcoming to new “tender” Mario Cavaliere who played exceptional and while he faced only 29 shots he stood tall.
The Eagles pulled off one of their best performances of the season entertaining the 915 on hand to watch the “new look” Eagles hit the ice in hopes that this is the start of a “new era” for the Eagles.
FORTIS BC PLAYER OF THE GAME
Mackenzie Merriman (3 Assists)
THREE STARS:
1st Mario Cavaliere (29 SA/29 SV)
2nd Jeffrey Stewart (2 Goals/2 Assists)
3rd Ryan Brushett (1 Goal/2 Assists)
Sunday is another “Skate with the Eagles” following the game at the home the Eagles.
Join the team at the “Nest” for the third game in as many nights as they host the visiting Cowichan Valley Capitals.
