The 2016 portion of the schedule started with a bang for the Surrey Eagles, who embarked on a three game road trip through Salmon Arm, Trail, and West Kelowna. The Eagles did not have the luxury of easing their way back from the holiday break, with three tough games that they would end up on the losing side of.
On New Year’s Day in Salmon Arm, Brett Stewart and Tyler Andrews would score for the Eagles – but the headlines were stolen by the eight game misconduct penalties that were handed out. Justin Laforest made 47 saves, and the Salmon Arm Silverbacks would take the game by a score of 5-2. The rough affair was certainly a major story in the game, as six players and two coaches would receive suspensions from the league.
For the Eagles, Trent Huitema, Gage Mackie, and Kurt Black would all receive two game suspensions for participating in a “multiple fight situation.” Both head coaches would also receive a one game suspension for allowing the incident to occur.
Down three players, the Eagles would soldier on to Trail one day later. Starting goaltender Daniel Davidson would make 37 saves en route to receiving the game’s third star – but the Eagles would drop the game by a score of 4-0. Austin Anselmo was added to the roster before the game, in time to face his former team in his first game as an Eagle.
The final game of the road trip would result in two players recording their first goals as an Eagle. Anselmo would pick up a goal in only his second game, and Hunter Kero notched his first of the season as well. The score was 3-2 heading into the third period, but Trail would pull away with four goals in the final frame. Justin Laforest stopped 39 shots in the loss.
The Eagles now return home for a game on Friday night against the Prince George Spruce Kings. Game time is at 7 PM, and tickets are still available!
