The Surrey Eagles had the energy and the effort in their first meeting of the season with the West Kelowna Warriors, but a couple of bouncing pucks went in favour of the visiting squad.
Surrey started with Forbes Ploszaj facing his former team, but allowed the puck to squeak by him five times on 26 shots. West Kelowna’s affiliate goaltender Aiden Doak getting his first BCHL win stopping 18 of 22 shots.
Surrey continued the momentum they carried out of Merritt into the opening period of play. Tyler Andrews scored 1:45 into the game on a three-on-one with Gage Mackie and Matthew Hermary, who were credited with the assists. West Kelowna’s Connor Sodergren would score his third of year to tie it up, but Jeffery Stewart regained the one-goal lead for the home team 42 seconds later from Darius Davidson and Kurt Black. Both Andrews and Stewart netted their fourth goal in two games and the Eagles led 2-1 going into the second period.
A momentum shift took place in the next 20 minutes of play as West Kelowna came out attacking special teams. Kristian Blumenschein netted his fifth of the season 31 seconds into the period, which was followed by two power-play goals by Rylan Yaremko and Kylar Hope. The visiting team would add another from Brett Mennear for their fourth goal in ten minutes, forcing Eagles coach Blaine Neufeld to pull his starting goaltender. Daniel Davidson would hold his place between the pipes, but the Warriors had their three-goal lead going into the final frame.
The Eagles made a valiant effort in the final period, pulling the goalie with 2:30 left and scoring on the power-play to get within two goals, but the Warriors would get their second win in a row on the road taking this game by a score of 6-4.
Surrey now holds a record of 5-22, while West Kelowna improves to 16-9-0-2.
West Kelowna’s Connor Sodergren and Jonathan Desbiens were the game’s second and third stars, while Jeffery Stewart’s two-goal performance was rewarded with the game’s first star.
Darius Davidson was named the Fortis BC Energy Player of the Game; his fourth of the season.
Surrey will begin the month of December on the road when they travel south of the border to Wenatchee on Thursday and Friday. The Eagles will fly back to the nest the following Sunday, December 6th, to battle the Island Division-leading Nanaimo Clippers. Puck-drop will take place at 4PM.
For more information on the Surrey Eagles Hockey Club, please visit surreyeagles.ca or call (604) 531-GOAL (4625).
