Eagles Capitalize On Strong Effort In 7-0 Win Over Cowichan

The Eagles had their sights set on moving up given the tight proximity of the top three teams in the Mainland Division, and they did exactly that.

Given Friday’s performance of Cavaliere two days prior managing a shutout over the Rivermen
one should expect him to be in stellar form facing a tired Capitals squad, who have managed a
split winning in PG and dropping one to the Vipers.

Also out of the line-up for the Eagles would be Captain Jordan Robert, Cory Babichuk and Ty
Schultz, but Wesley takes up his place on the number one line of Westgard and Burgart.

With the 4 pm start fans were lining up shortly after 3 in hopes of taking in the warm-up, grabbing
something to munch on and chit-chat with some of their game time friends.

While some were still entering the building, the Eagles got off to another impressive start
throwing the puck in the right corner with Burgart sending it behind the net to Wesley who sent a
one-timer out front to Westgard who threw it on net that saw it take a strange bounce off a
Cowichan “D-Man’s” stick giving the Eagles the first of the game a short 33 second from the
opening draw.

With the return of Wesley it was only a matter of time that he notched one in and with his finesse
he somehow manages to find open ice and this time it was on the left side of the goal nearest the
face-off dot.

Norton kept it on side tipping one to Sundquist who threw a tape to tape precision pass to Wesley
who pounded in his 30th of the season putting the Eagles up by a 2-0 margin on the PP at 4:04
bringing the fans to their feet.

The Capitals pressed getting quality shots on Cavaliere only to have them turned aside giving the
Eagles more zone time hammering shot after shot on Pichette did what he could to keep the
Eagles off the board, but it simply wasn’t enough.

As if playing five on five wasn’t hard enough the Eagles were given a PP opportunity and while
playing shorthanded White broke in on the left side getting a shot on Pichette that saw the puck
bounce to Sundquist who simply tapped it in on the right side giving the Eagles a 3-0 lead at 8:28
of the opening period.

With the face-off in the Capitals zone in the right corner Stewart won the draw pulling it to the
right side that saw Campese send a quick one-timer at the point to Schiavon who delivered a low
shot past a shocked Pichette putting the Eagles up by a 4-0 tally at 14:08.

The first ended with the Eagles narrowly outshooting Cowichan by a narrow 15-14 margin
keeping the confidence building as they were set to enter the second.

The Eagles first goal in the second wasn’t nearly as quick as the first one in the first and while on
yet another PP the hammered shot after shot after a startled Pichette who at times seemed
shocked at the amount he was facing, but he did what he could, but never had much to work
with.

Sundquist stole the puck deep in the right corner off a defender managing to send it to Norton at
the point who took a quick look hearing Wesley tapping his stick on the ice as if to call for it sent
an exceptional cross ice pass as everyone watched him slide it through the 5-hole collecting his
31st of the season while on another PP.

Many were speculating that after the fourth the Capitals might have changed “tenders” but it
wasn’t happening quite yet, but soon.

The Capitals continued to press, but were unable to pierce the armour of Cavaliere who
continued to impress everyone with his acrobatics on display throughout the contest.

Next up saw the Eagles explode out of their zone with a two on two breakout that Merriman slide
a pass to the trailing Sterzer who tipped one on net that created a rebound on the right side to
Danol who notched his 8th of the season ending the night for Pichette.

Corson played in PG and Vernon on the trip and was now forced to take over with Pichette
having a TOI of 32:53 minutes stopping 23 of the 29 shots faced also ending the period with the
Eagles outshooting the Capitals in the second by a 19-13 tally.

The third saw Cowichan pretty much go shot for shot with the Eagles, but on this day it simply
wasn’t enough fire power for the struggling Capitals squad.

The score remained 6-0 and it wasn’t until the 14:30 mark of the third that would see the Eagles
collect goal number seven.

The best chance of the game came at the 9:37 mark of the third when Wilson sent one in
allowing Benger to “rip” one close in on the right side of the net that saw an impressive if not
shocking two-pad stack, bringing Greg out of his chair.

Stops like this quite often motivate any team and this was no different that saw the Eagles get
chance after chance only to be denied by Corson.

The seventh and final goal of the game for the Eagles saw Schiavon send one to Westgard who
fed Burgart driving straight up the ice.

Using his speed and talent, he broke through both “D-men” faked a one-timer then when to his
backhand simply sending it “topshelf” giving the Eagles goal number seven grabbing his 17th of
the season while on another PP.

With the game coming to an end the Capitals had one last end to end rush getting a shot on goal
as the buzzer went only to be turned aside by Cavaliere – again.

Two games – two shutouts for “Super-Mario” as Greg and I have named and within a span of
three days.

The first shutout against the Rivermen by a 5-0 score followed by this impressing outing with all
of the 1139 watching his remarkable showing.

Capitals starting “tender” JJ Pichette faced 29 shots managing to stop 23 playing 32:53 (TOI),
while Corson stopped 14 of the 15 shots faced through 27:07 minutes of ice time.

Surrey were 3-9 on the PP, while the Capitals were 0-5 in the special teams through 60 minutes
of play.

FORTIS BC PLAYER OF THE GAME
Owen Norton (2 Assists)

Three Stars:
1st) Mario Cavaliere (SA 43/SV 43)
2nd) John Wesley (2 Goals/1 Assist)
3rd) Connor Sundquist (1 Goal/2 Assists)

The Eagles next hit the ice Wednesday January 17th in a cross-town rematch against Coquitlam
at the rink on Porier with the face-off set for 7 pm.

This is followed by a return match against the Express on home ice Friday January 20th at 7pm.