After six games without a win, the Surrey Eagles’ eight-goal performance was more than enough to beat the Chilliwack Chiefs in only their second home game of the year.
Surrey’s new netminder Micheal Botiz proved himself worthy of a win stopping 24 of 26 shots; Robert Jacobson was pulled three times in the final period, halting a total 19 of 27 attempts.
Ashton Calder wowed the crowd in the first period of Surrey’s second home game of the season,recording an assist to Jeffrey Stewart’s opening tally before netting one of his own. Calder ripped a sharp-angled beauty from the goal-line for his first career BCHL goal. Strong defensive on the back end from Botiz kept the Eagles up by two through 20.
After killing off an early penalty given to Jordan Robert, the Eagles continued their resilient offense on the Chiefs. US Air Force committed-Robert Johnson’s initial shot on goal was rebounded off the low pad of Jacobson for Desi Burgart to score his second of the season. Four and a half minutes later, Chilliwack looked like they killed off the penalty; this is until the rookie from Sault St. Marie decided to add another goal to the resume. Ashton Calder earned his third point of the evening and the Eagles led by four goals (4-0) after 40.
After Captain Paul McAvoy made it 5-0 for Surrey, Botiz’s shuout streak ended 53:19 of the game courtesy of Chilliwack D-man Connor McCarthy. Nick Fea would finally net his first of the season before Austin Chorney would cut the lead to four once again for the visiting team. Ashton Calder would score an empty-netter for the hat-trick in front of a passionate crowd; Jordan Robert would seal the 8-2 victory, giving the Eagles their first win of the season.
Surrey’s record improves to 1-6-0-0, while Chilliwack drops to 4-3-0-0.
Ashton Calder’s four-point night earned him the game’s first star, while Nick Fea’s three-point performance and Micheal Botiz’s first win in first game as a Surrey Eagle gave him the honour of the game’s third star.
Nick Minerva’s incredible three-assist night was rewarded with the Fortis BC Energy Player of the Game.
The Surrey Eagles will stay in the Lower Mainland for Saturday’s road game in Chilliwack to face the Chiefs again at 7PM. The boys will then embark on their first Interior Division stint of the season, travelling to Vernon and Salmon Arm before returning the nest on Thursday October 13th to duel with the Coquitlam Express. Fans who purchase tickets at the South Surrey Arena will receive a FREE hot-dog and drink as part of the Eagles’ experience.
