Photo courtesy Damon James
Back to back games can take its toll on a team, but following the heartbreaking loss in Coquitlam
on Wednesday, you knew the return on home ice would be so different, especially the outcome.
The key for the Eagles was to get a fast start over the Express and from the draw they managed
to throw it in the attacking zone, managing to catch Coquitlam on a poor clearing play on the
right side when Burgart forced the turnover.
Using his stick to block the clearing pass allowed him to dish it to Westgard who fed Wesley at
the top of the face-off circle on the right side who slid one back to Ross who collected his 6th of
the season allowing him to hammer one past Stevenson taking an early 1-0 lead 32 seconds in
the opening period.
The fast jump obviously paid off that continued with Wesley jumping on a loose puck sliding it
on the right side to Norton who simply slapped it at the net allowing Westgard to tip it over the
shoulder of Stevenson giving the Eagles a 2-0 lead at the 1:57 mark of the period.
Both teams battled hard, but the edge in play went to the Eagles on the Power Play that allowed
Westgard to jump on a loose puck on the left side sliding one cross ice that was almost
intercepted, eventually finding its way on the stick of Brushett.
Using a heads-up play he wasted no time sliding one to Wesley who was one on one with
Stevenson managing to pull him to the right side sliding it through the five-hole giving Surrey a
3-0 lead at the 11:36 mark giving him his 32nd of the season.
Davidson started for the Eagles with him facing 12 shots in the first while Stevenson was noted
as a late starter facing only 9 shots through one.
The Eagles continued to press and it wasn’t until the 10:26 mark of the second that saw a poor
clearing play along the left boards that saw the number one line jump on the loose puck.
This forced a scramble in the front of the net that saw the puck bounce to the stick of Westgard
who hammered home his 2nd of the game and 12th of the season giving the Eagles a 4-0 lead
heading to the dressing room after two.
The Eagles reversed the shots in the second with Davidson facing nine while Stevenson faced 11
shots with the third being a must control period for Surrey.
The third saw the Eagles continue to control all areas of the ice with a couple of “huge” hits as
the first was thrown by Ross along the boards only to be followed with Wesley delivering a huge
open ice hit inside his own blue line.
The Eagles outshot the Express by a 14-11 margin in the third that saw Davidson faced 32 while
Stevenson faced 34 through 60 minutes of play.
The decisive victory secures the Eagles a playoff spot, which if the first time since the
2013-14 season that was formally announced by broadcast partner Greg who has been dreaming
of mentioning this since Christmas.
Special teams were non productive for both teams as the Eagles were 1-7 on the night while the
Express were 1-5 through 60 minutes.
FORTIS BC ENERGY PLAYER OF THE GAME
Jackson Ross (1 Goal)
Three Stars:
1st Ty Westgard (2 Goals/2 Assists)
2nd Daniel Davidson (32 SA/31 SV)
3rd John Wesley (1 Goal/2 Assists)
The Eagles have a short turn around as they face the Nanaimo Clippers for a “Skate With The
Eagles” following the game.
Be sure to join the Eagles as they are looking at keeping the “Eagles Soaring” for the remainder
of the season.
