(Photo courtesy of Garrett James)
The Surrey Eagles exploded on the rush and capitalized on the scoring chances on Thursday night against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. The home team would soar to their fifth win in a row, their seventh in their home barn, and their 10th victory of the 2016-17 season.
Surrey netminder Daniel Davidson’s eighth start of the year ended in his second shutout, stopping all 31 shots. Salmon Arm’s Trevin Kozlowzki allowed five goals on 31 shots himself.
The Eagles came out flying, continuing the brilliant offensive play and creating multiple scoring chances. Rookie defenceman Jackson Ross got the monkey off his back with his first career BCHL goal, scoring 100 seconds into the opening frame. Later in the period, an unfortunate hit to Salmon Arm’s Spencer Hora in front of his own bench sent Surrey forward Jordan Robert out of the game. The home team would be forced to go on a five-minute penalty kill, but the sacrifice blocks would pay off as a partial three-on-one provided Cory Babichuk with a short-side, short-handed goal for his third of the season. Surrey would hold on to a 2-0 lead going into the middle frame.
Surrey would not quit on the offensive outburst for next 20 minutes, netting three more goals, two from the top line. Logan Mostat scored on the power-play, Desi Burgart with a sweet dangle in front for the four-goal lead, and Darius Davidson would net his team-leading 14th of the season for a five-goal cushion.
The 5-0 lead would stay the same until the final horn, giving Daniel Davidson his second shutout of the year and his third win overall for the Eagles seventh win on home-ice.
Surrey’s record improves to 10-12-2-0, Salmon Arm falls to 10-15-0-0
The Davidson Brothers were named the game’s First and Second Stars, Daniel then Darius, while Cory Babichuk’s three-point performance rounded out the top three.
Logan Mostat recorded a goal and an assist, giving him the honour of the Fortis BC Energy Player of the Game.
The Surrey Eagles go back on another two-game road trip this weekend, but they’ll start in the Cariboo region, hoping to avenge two late October losses to the Prince George Spruce Kings at the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena. Puck-drop on Saturday goes for 7PM.
On the Sunday afternoon, the Eagles will travel back south to the Interior Division to face the Merritt Centennials for the first time this season; game-time at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena is 2PM.
