For the Eagles to advance, simply put it was all about fate and this alone was in the hands of
the home squad who were facing the chance to advance or head back to Langley for a game 7
match-up.
In pre-game conversation with some players several mentioned to myself and broadcast partner Greg Balloch it was about control, composure and discipline and realistically speaking truer words were never spoken.
With the opening face-off set fans were still filing into the “Eagles Nest” the home squad knew
they required a strong start that would go with the continuing fan support.
It’s fair to mention that following the let down the previous night, Eagles Head Coach Brandan
West and Assistant Coach Linden Saip prepared the squad on the importance of this game.
Langley again went with Braedon Fleming between the pipes and to no surprise the Eagles
continued with Mario Cavaliere, but this game would require OT to determine the eventual
winner.
A win would surely require a quick start and that is what the Eagles provided to the 1,017 on
hand with the first goal of the game coming a short 1:39 into the contest.
Connor Sundquist was in the right corner pressured by Langley’s defence, but turned and dished one to mid-ice that Chase Danol hammered home – his third in the postseason, giving the Eagles the early lead.
Surrey continued to press enter the zone with Ty Westgard cutting in on the right side breaking
around the winger sending one mid-ice to Ryan Brushett who got the initial shot on Braedon Fleming only to see the rebound bounce out front to Desi Burgart who collected his 6th of the playoffs putting the Eagles up 2-0 at 5:37.
While many thought this might continue it was a matter of time before Langley got the first at
14:39 only to be followed by a second at 15:08 that gave the Rivermen the tie shocking the
Eagles supporters, but bringing the Rivermen fans to life.
While the Rivermen were pressing it was Owen Norton that delivered a long pass up ice to Brushett
along the wall who made an abrupt U-turn sending a cross-ice pass to Burgart who hammered in
his second of the game giving the Eagles a 3-2 lead heading to the dressing room after one.
Both teams had several chances in the first only to be turned aside by both tenders and heading to
the dressing room after one it was the Rivermen outshooting the Eagles by a narrow 15-13
margin.
Langley continued to press managing to grab the tying marker at 4:26 as Ponak got his first of
the postseason getting the Rivermen even on the scoreboard.
The game continued to be tight checking with the Eagles on the PP that saw Stewart slide one
cross ice to Norton inside the blue-line who calmly slid one to Burgart who sent a bullet top shelf past Fleming regaining a 4-3 lead collecting his third of the contest and eighth of the postseason
sending the hats flying.
It was a short 1:01 later that saw Langley’s Tanner Versluis even the game again at 15:55 that would
see both teams head to the dressing room full well knowing that the third was a must win for the
Rivermen, knowing that the Eagles did not want a return trip to the George Preston Rec Centre in
Langley.
The Rivermen were again dominate in the second outshooting the Eagles by a 16-11 tally and
31-24 through two periods.
With the game tied at four after two, the fans were treated to some exceptional BCHL playoff
hockey that saw the third end tied at four, but having Langley leading in the shot department
40-35, but this contest would require OT to determine the eventual winner.
The eventual winner was started deep in the Eagles zone to the right of Cavaliere that caught the
Rivermen on a line change that saw Ross send a bullet pass to Brushett on the right side who
managed to break in behind the D sliding a saucer pass to Matthew Campese who wasted little time
roofing one over the right shoulder of a shocked Fleming 34 seconds in OT clinching the victory
for the Eagles collecting his third of the postseason.
The win advances the Eagles to the second round of the BCHL Playoffs to play the Prince George Spruce Kings.
FORTIS BC PLAYER OF THE GAME
Chase Danol (1 Goal)
THREE STARS:
1st Desi Burgart (3 Goals)
2nd Matthew Campese (1 Goal)
3rd Nicholas Ponak (1 Goal/1 Assist)
