By Steve Erickson
The Surrey Eagles were looking to make changes as they moved forward, coming off a 6-2 loss to Victoria in the last home game of October.
Kyle Dumba started between the pipes for the Eagles having played 9 games through 524 minutes, with a goals against average of 4.24, while his counterpart at the other end of the ice was Hayden Missler for the visiting Powell River Kings.
Home ice hasn’t been the best for the Eagles so far this season, and given the injury “bug” that has hit the team, it goes to say that they are looking at turning things around for the month of November.
This game also featured four AP players in the roster, two of which are from the PJHL, one from the Burnaby Winter Club, and one from the Delta Hockey Academy.
Try as they might, the Eagles gave the Kings far too many chances in the first allowing them to steal a 3-1 score heading to the dressing room forcing each tender to make some stellar stops.
The Eagles managed a solid three-way passing play in the last minute with Matthew Barnes breaking in on the right side sliding one cross ice to Corey Clifton who in turn slid it to Holden Katzalay who pulled the Eagles within two at the 19:13 mark as the first was wrapping up.
As they enter the second the Eagles had quality chances at the first part of the period, but try as they might the Kings managed to get their 4th of the game at the 3:41 mark with Kyle Kawamura getting his 3rd of the early season.
Following the fourth goal for the Kings ended Dumba’s night. He was replaced by Cayden Bailey, who was forced to make several tough saves early in his appearance.
While the first period was close, the end result saw the Kings out-shoot the Eagles by a 15-11 margin, but to the Eagles credit they had other shots that simply missed the net, either high over-top or wide missing by a few feet.
The second was more of a tight-checking period with both having several close in chances with the Eagles trading shots managing 13 keeping the Kings to a only 11 through the 40 minutes.
Following the game the conversation was about the lack of shots not just at the net, but simply a lack of shots – period.
The third was more of a “full game” for the Kings with returning former Surrey Eagle Ryan Brushett managing to get his 10th of the early season.
The third saw more rough play by both teams, but the majority of play in the Eagles end as they were only allowed 4 – yes 4 shots on goal through the 20 minutes.
The Kings on the other hand were no different as they only managed 8 shots through the 20 minutes, which shocked many in the building.
The Eagles had a couple of close in chances in the third, especially with a two-man advantage, but only managed to put one on goal to the frustration of the close to 500 fans on hand on the soggy, dreary west coast night.
FortisBC Player of the Game
Holden Katzalay
Three Stars:
1st) Ty Westgard (1G/0A)
2nd) Christian Buono (2G/1A)
3rd) Ryan Brushett (2G/0A)
Join the Eagles for a Skate With The Eagles following the game Sunday at 4 pm
