Photo by Garrett James
At times playing a game is like sitting on a teeter totter with the ups and downs creating concerns having one wonder if the ride will come to an abrupt end or go on and on.
One might question some of the play at times, but one thing that comes to mind is that there is never a lack of hard work by the team to continue to be better game in and game out.
The previous weekend saw the Eagles pull out a pair of impressive wins over both Powell River as well as Alberni Valley in hopes of keeping the winning tradition going.
Friday saw a rough game for the “guy’s” as they went into Langley in hopes of extending the winning streak going,if it weren’t for the first two periods as they allowed the Rivermen to jump out to a 4-0 lead until Winfree got the lone goal in the third dropping a 4-1 decision.
Rogers brought “Hometown Hockey” to Surrey that saw the Eagles take part in the previous day and it seemed to be a motivation for the “guy’s” to put on a show in front of the 680 in the Nest.
The idea of switching goaltenders for each game saw Tallarico get the call while Alberni started Brock Lefebvre who was getting his first start for the Bulldogs.
Alberni jumped out to an early start grabbing the first at 7:44 controlling the lead until Stewart was set up on the right side that saw him cut to the front of the net, slipping a back pass to Campese who hammered one top shelf over the shoulder of Lefebvre getting the eagles even on the scoreboard.
The game remained tied until the Eagles were assessed a minor for Too Many Men at the 18 minute mark putting the Bulldogs on a PP that saw them take the lead at 19:53 of the first.
Travel along with the three game road swing seemed to be what they ordered as they controlled the shots by a 19-12 margin after one with both tenders making numerous impressive stops.
At the end of the first there was an extensive delay as the paramedics were called to attend to Liam Lytton who was eventually taken to the hospital for observation and later released.
The delay took it’s toll on both teams as neither seemed to be in a hurry to start the second with everyone concerned about Lytton and his condition, but as tentative as the game seemed it opened up after about six minutes of play.
It wasn’t until the 11:12 of the second that saw Babichuk circle his net with the puck skating up the middle managing to deliver a thunderous check as he simultaneously sent a tape to tape pass to Stewart on the left side in front of the penalty bench.
He in turn was more focused on getting even on the scoreboard and managed to slip the puck to Campese who skated in on the left side sending a low shot glove side notching his second of the game and getting the Eagles even on the scoreboard.
The second saw a more disciplined game from the Eagles with more focus on sending pucks to the net outshooting the Bulldogs by a 15-11 margin, but still trailing through two by a 30-17 tally.
While the Bulldogs came out strong you could sense that their mind was more on Lytton and his condition as it was with the Eagles but the third saw a rejuvenated Eagles team take to the ice.
Strong is an understatement with the Eagles controlling the play in the attacking zone Alberni tried to clear the puck out on the left side only to be stopped by Norton at the blue line simply throwing it to the middle.
Wesley took advantage of the loose puck taking it to the left side of the net sliding a nifty tape to tape pass to Campese who slid a backhand shot one along the ice past Lefebvre collecting his third of the game and seventh of the season with helpers going to Wesley and Westgard.
The early start seemed to be what was ordered by the Coaching staff between periods as a short 12 seconds later it was Brushett who sent one out front to the lone Steward who slid one low glove side past Lefebvre giving the Eagles a 4-2 lead.
Alberni Valley pressed and managed to get one at 4:42 pulling within one, but more than others this goal seemed to motivate the Eagles as they played with more jump than the start.
With another draw on the left side that was won by Westgard he simply pulled it back to his right side to the waiting Wesley who simply send a low wrister notching his 26th of the season giving Westgard his 37th assist.
With the play in the Eagles zone Burgart stole the puck on the left side boards sending a stretch pass to Wesley who was behind both “D’ breaking into the zone hammering his 27th of the season matching his sweater number past Lefebvre a short 45 second later.
Motivation is the key to success and seeing Wesley go coast to coast Eagles Babichuk slipped the puck to Danol who fed Brushett who had speedster Stewart going in alone that saw him collect his 8th of the season 55 seconds later for the final goal of the game.
The game turned as one would expect following the injury to Lytton in the first and while this might have played a role in the success for the Eagles, we are pleased to mention that information from Alberni Valley tells us that Liam Lytton is doing well and we give him our thoughts on a speedy recovery.
FORTIS BC ENERGY PLAYER OF THE GAME
Cory Babichuk ( 1 Assist)
THREE STARS;
1st) Matthew Campese (3 Birthday Goals)
2nd) Jeffrey Stewart (2 Goals)
3rd) John Wesley (2 Goals/1 Assist)
December 15th the Eagles host the Annual “Teddy Bear Toss” night as the Eagles host the Powell River Kings in the “NEST” at 7 pm.
December 16th sees the Eagles travel to Langley in a return match against the Rivermen with the face off set for 7 pm.
Join myself and Greg for the call of both games Friday and Saturday on HockeyTV and mixlr.com/sportswave
