Friday September 28th saw the BCHL Surrey Eagles take professionalism to an entire new level when they paid tribute and respect to former player Jaxon Joseph.
The tragedy that took the lives of 16 players and staff who were on route to a playoff game, while injuring 13 others in the horrific crash involving the Humboldt Broncos.
This tragedy hit everyone connected with the Surrey Eagles hockey club who were in line to pay tribute to former Surrey Eagle Jaxon Joseph.
He (Jaxon Joseph) began his career in the 2010-11 season with the St. Albert Blues Hockey team, staying in the Association until the 2014-15 season.
The following season he made the transition to the KIJHL playing with Beaver Valley KnightHawks playing 35 games collecting 13 goals and 10 assists.
Partway through the season he was signed by the Surrey Eagles playing 21 games managing 5 goals and 5 assists.
The following season he moved to Melfort Mustangs were he played for two season then move on to play with the Humboldt Broncos where he played 38 games grabbing 25 goals and 18 assists.
Fans were filling the South Surrey Arena with the wait beginning at 5:30 for the ceremony that would begin at 6:45 and even then the start was delayed as fans were still filing in to pay tribute and respect to a player that many had watched play while he was with the Surrey Eagles.
The Joseph Family arrived with close to 100 on hand for this humbling tribute paying respect to their Son, Family Friends as well as Friends of the hockey community.
While words were read by the announcer both teams were standing in their respect players bench and it was understandable to mention that “Silence Was Golden” by everyone in the building.
The ceremony began with words of praise, admiration and respect by GM Blaine Neufeld who at times was close to tears as were many in the crowd and it was hard not to be moved by his remarks.
Following his remarks there was a video shown, first for the Humboldt Broncos, then one featuring his time with the Surrey Eagles that highlighted his first goal as a Surrey Eagle.
The crowd was mesmerized with the tribute and following this the players of both teams and officials stood around the centre circle in a moment of silence with the light shining on his retired #10 hanging in the rafters, never to be worn again.
From here it was to be game on, but not until 7:23 with the first ten minutes of the game had many thinking that there was still to be a hockey game to be played.
The Eagles chose to start Cayden Bailey between the pipes while the Spruce Kings went with Logan Neaton, while the game also featured newest Eagle Ryan Miley.
His arrival is the third new player this past week and it’s speculated that they might “stay pat” for the time being, but this is one decision that is out of my control.
Former Delta Academy player Santa Juana collected the first of the game and his first as an Eagle at 13:58 breaking in hammering one past a somewhat shocked Logan giving the Eagles the early lead.
Clearly the start the Eagles needed following the dismal loss two nights prior while they managed to maintain this lead entering the second period, while out shooting PG by a narrow 12-11 margin.
PG managed to get the game even with Manz tying the game at 6:36 of the second with both teams being stingy in the goal department seeing the game tied at one after two.
Tentative is an underrated word when it comes to scoring and it wasn’t until the 15:29 mark of the period that saw Westgard notch his third of the season with helpers going to Linell and Stevenson giving the Eagles the much needed lead.
The Eagles were in control, but following a timeout by PG it was Welsh that sent one past an impressive Bailey tying the game at 2 sending it to a 5 minute 3 on 3 overtime period, that solved nothing.
While the game was exceptionally entertaining the best was yet to come featuring the stellar of both tenders at times standing on their heads making impressive and underrated stops.
The shootout began as Eric Linell of the Eagles shot first only to silence the crowd with it being turned aside.
PG sent Ben Brar to the ice as he managed to slide one underneath Bailey giving PG the lead, which would be short lived as sniper Ty Westgard was next sending one past a shocked Logan tying the game.
The next three shooters would go scoreless with the fans wondering how long this might actually go.
Surrey sent Matthew McKim to the ice to display his magic and magic it was as he not only scored, but brought the crowd to life cheering on the Eagles.
The pressure was on PG who sent Mike Conlin to the ice who knew what was at stake and as he went in on Bailey, you could have heard a pin drop, which would soon change.
Conlin was denied and without hesitation everyone watched as Cayden Bailey marched out of his crease in the style of Mixed Martial Artist Conor McGregor.
For the Eagles Christmas came early with this much needed win giving them the confidence they need, but more so the win was paying respect to former Surrey Eagle Jaxon Joseph.
FortisBC Energy Player of the Game
Liam Ryan (0 Goals/1 Assist)
Three Stars:
1st Ty Westgard (1 Goal/0 Assists)
2nd Cayden Bailey (39 SA/36 SV)
3rd Logan Neaton (29 SA/28 SV)
While there were game stars in the game the number one star on this night is Jaxon Joseph.
RIP Jaxon Joseph
