The Eagles were glad to return to the “Eagles Nest” in hopes of turning things around, as the recent trip south was one they would like to forget. Dropping a pair of games to the first place Wenatchee Wild by scores of 4-2 and 2-0 wasn’t the result they wanted, but as the kids say “it is what it is.”
Heading home for a meeting with the cellar dwellers of the Island Division, you would think it would be an easy task, with the fans on their side – but it turned out to be a game to forget.
The day following the trip south saw the Eagles acquire the playing rights to goaltender Keelan Williams (96) from the Warriors in exchange for Logan Mostat and that ever-elusive future considerations player.
On paper Surrey (11-18-2-0) has a better record than Alberni Valley (9-16-4-1), but even with the stats in their favour Alberni got the jump from the drop of the puck. Surrey started Michael Botiz while Alberni started Brody Claeys, but Surrey would make a change after the first period, falling behind by a 3-0 margin.
A goal scramble at the post allowed Alberni’s Jake Witkowski to set the tone with an early marker two minutes in only to be followed by Witkowski getting his second of the game at 11:31 while on the PP.
Discipline is the name of the game, and in the pre-game this was something that Assistant Coach Riley Sweeney mentioned, but somewhere along the line the message got lost.
Surrey gave up another PP opportunity at the 17:07 of the period setting up another PP opportunity and goal as Witkowski notched his hat-trick goal at 17:55.
After one, the Eagles were down by three and narrowly being outshot by an 11-10 margin with questions being asked as they headed to the dressing room.
As the clubs returned for the second, Surrey made a change in net replacing Boitz with newly acquired Williams.
Unfortunately for Williams, Alberni grabbed two quick goals with the first coming on a scramble at 1:13 and the fifth of the game at 3:45 on the PP.
The second saw both teams trade shots as each hammered nine on net; but had Alberni up by a narrow 20-19 mark after two.
At the end of the period, a scrum ensued near the boards where Ty Westgard was assessed both a minor for roughing plus a misconduct to start the third.
The third period started with much more jump that saw both teams get chance after chance, as both tenders were forced to make several close in stops.
Surrey found themselves in penalty trouble again starting the third but fought hard to keep Alberni off the scoreboard allowing Williams to see any and all shots he faced.
It wasn’t until 10:26 of the period that saw Darius Davidson send one past a shocked Claeys making it a 5-1 game, with the only thing against the Eagles – the clock.
While the game at times seemed “chippy” it was a hard fought and physical contest at both ends of the rink.
Surrey came up on the short end on the scoreboard but none the less outshot Alberni Valley by a 30-27 margin through three periods.
The key that hurt the Eagles more than anything was the early discipline allowing Alberni to capitalize on 3 of their 8 powerplay opportunities. The Eagles went 0-3 on the night.
Roster changes continue to hamper the Eagles and this game saw two A/P call-ups dressed to fill open slots. Mackenzie Merriman and Kyle Forbes dressed for the Eagles and managed to get their share of ice time while playing on the same line and not looking out of place.
The Eagles next home game is Thursday, December 8th at South Surrey Arena, as they face-off against second place Chilliwack Chiefs who currently sit 20 points ahead of the Eagles. Remember that every ticket purchase comes with a free hot dog and soft drink!
