The Surrey Eagles hosted their annual Teddy Bear toss on the final Sunday game prior to the Christmas break for the BCHL and while the event was a success, the visiting Cowichan Valley Capitals were like the “grinch” who stole Christmas.
Many dedicated Eagle fans showed up to help make the event for both the Surrey Eagles and the Surrey Christmas Bureau a success once again. While those living in the area were treated with a dumping of snow and rain, the Capitals were on route from Penticton the previous night following a split on their recent road trip through the interior.
The Eagles played Thursday managing to pull off an impressive 2-1 double OT win over the Chiefs only to have them take Saturday’s game by a 3-0 score. The Capitals were also coming into the game following 5-1 loss the previous night, with many thinking this would have been an easy two points to steal. With two games remaining prior to the break the Eagles are in need of a win if for no other more of a chance to re-motivate them entering the second half of the season.
The Capitals started Michasiw, while the Eagles looked to change things up starting Botiz between the pipes, with 10 points separating the teams at the opening face-off. Surrey are chasing the Langley Rivermen looking to make ground in the standings, but this game showed more work is needed.
Cowichan jumped out to an early lead at 18:42 of the first with Domin getting set up from Ayre and Montambault managing to take this lead to the room after one. While the Capitals were leading on the scoreboard,it was the Eagles who were leading in the shot department by a narrow 14-11 margin.
Being a team leader means more than being vocal in the dressing room, it means setting standards on and off the ice. Such is the case with Darius Davidson who was playing in his 200th game and it was his magic that “sent the Teddy Bears Flying at the 1:14 mark of period two, tying the game at one. The game remained tied at one until Arye got one past Botiz at the 14:13 minute of the second allowing the Capitals to take a 2-1 lead to the dressing room after two.
The tight checking game at times saw stellar play by both “tenders” and it seemed only fitting that after two the shots were tied at twenty-six. Try as they might with the boisterous crowd on hand to cheer on the Eagles,they were simply unable to get one past Michasiw and steal two points.
The four-man officiating crew had a relatively easy game and to two refs had to dish out seven (7) minors to Surrey while Cowichan received 5 through 60 minutes with neither team being to capitalize on the PP. Final shot total saw the Eagles dominate having 38 allowing Cowichan only 31. With both goalies playing solid it was only fitting that they were named first and second respectively.
1. 1st Star Lane Michasiw Cowichan Valley Capitals
2. 2nd Michael Botiz Surrey Eagles
3. 3rd Trevor Ayre Cowichan Valley Capitals
Make plans to attend the final home game prior to the Christmas break at the “Eagles Nest” December 15th as they face-off against the Powell River Kings at 6:30 pm.
