The Surrey Eagles presented their team awards before facing off with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Fan Appreciation Night. Unfortunately, Alberni Valley spoiled the celebration and barked up a 6-2 win for the season series’ sweep.
Eagles’ goaltender Justin Laforest had a stellar performance in the team’s last home game stopping 28 of 34 shots, while Bulldogs’ netminder Carson Schamerhorn picked up his ninth win of the year halting 20 of 22.
The Eagles came out flying in the early minutes of the first period! An intercepted pass by Robert Johnson was given to Kurt Black, who then centred his pass to Logan Mostat, scoring top shelf over Schamerhorn and the home team held the early 1-0 lead. A deja-vu moment came when the Bulldogs went on the attack to score two goals in 16 seconds, followed by a third nearly two minutes later. Surrey however would cut the lead to just one after a face-off win by Johnson was shot towards the net and past the A.V. goalie once again. The score was 3-2 after the first frame.
A scoreless second period saw the Eagles play on the defense for nearly half of the game. Justin Laforest flashed his leather in the critical moments and kept the home team in the hunt, killing off a double-minor taken by Kurt Black. Defensemen Trent Huitema and Austin Anselmo also stepped up, sacrificing their bodies to deny pucks from getting to the net.
For the third and final period of the Eagles’ home season, it was the visiting team that would come out on top scoring three goals, including one from former Surrey Eagle defenceman Owen Johnson. He lifted his team to the 6-2 victory.
Surrey’s record drops to 7-45-0-2; Alberni Valley moves closer to a playoff spot improving to 21-27-3-4
Surrey’s Logan Mostat was given the game’s third star honours, while Bulldogs’ Tristian Bukovec and Owen Johnson were named second and first stars respectively.
Robert Johnson put up a fight, literally, with A.V.’s Liam Conrad and got shots up the middle when his team was in the offensive zone. The Air Force Academy committed player was awarded the Fortis BC Energy Player of the Game.
Surrey will play their four remaining regular season games on the road, starting with a trip to the Okanagan. The Eagles will begin with a battle with the Vernon Vipers on Tuesday night, followed by a clash with the league’s-best Penticton Vees on Wednesday. Finally, the boys in green will continue Northbound for a back-to-back series on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon against the Prince George Spruce Kings.
