Tallarico Stands Tall In Eagles OT Win

Photo courtesy of Garrett James

In a game that featured division rivals Surrey played host to Salmon Arm who were also in need
of a win, but for Eagles “tender” Nic Tallarico this win was extra special.
The fast paced game was entertaining with the Eagles controlling much of the opening five
minutes throwing six shots at Kyle Dumba while the Silverbacks were unable to get any on Nic
Tallarico.

The opening goal however came off the stick of Thomas at 10:44 giving Salmon Arm the early
lead which they would take to the dressing room after one.
Despite the fact Tallarico was shotless in the first part of the period he was hammered with 13
through the first while Dumba faced 10 quality shots forcing him to make save after save
keeping his squad up by one.
The second started with more aggressive play by the Eagles, but a forced turnover allowed
Mitchell to put his squad up by two at the 3:49 mark.
Surrey’s Jeffrey Stewart carried the puck down the right side cutting to the middle forcing
Dumba to make a save giving a rebound that saw a scramble take place that saw Robert jump on
the loose puck getting the Eagles on the board at 5:10 and within one.
The Eagles continued to press, but to the shock of those attend it was Wakeford who put Salmon
Arm up 3-1 at 7:30 of the period.

Surrey continued to press and it was Westgard who worked magic behind the net feeding Wesley
who put a no-look pass to Winfree at the right point who used his explosive shot to notch his first
of the season pulling the Eagles within one after two.
Shots in the second were reversed with Surrey outshooting Salmon Arm by a 13-8 margin while
controlling the shots through two by 23-21.
The third would be the Eagles performance they were looking for again controlling the shots
with several key chance that narrowly missed.
The Eagles set up for the face-off with a right shot (Ross) on the left point and a left shot
(Masellis) on the right side in hopes of jumping on any rebound out the middle.
I continue to mention that penalties can prove costly and in this case it was the Silverbacks who
took an untimely minor allowing the Eagles to get the chance they needed.
White took the draw and got it back to Ross at the point who threw it at the net that saw Dumba
give a huge rebound that came out front to White who put a nifty shot along the ice on the right
side getting his third of the season tying the game at three.
Salmon Arm found themselves in penalty trouble giving the more disciplined Surrey Eagles
squad several chances to climb back and given the explosive speed it was only a matter of time
for Surrey to take control.

With the game tied both teams were forced to play a more tentative style of game that was
extremely entertaining for the 878 on hand to take in the game.
With the game headed to O/T both clubs knew the pressure was on and most knew that this
would be won by sheer talent and skill rather than a “gift” from above.
O/T saw the Eagles Aaron White send a short cross pass to Jackson Ross who started up ice,
then made an unorthodox 360 degree turn only to see him start over from his own blueline
setting things up again.

Whatever the reason he must have thought that it simply wasn’t going to work, but this time he
made it work.
Ross got past one defender in the neutral zone then cut to the left side 40 feet out that saw him
deliver a quick one-timer past a screened Dumba who had no chance to stop the bullet off the
stick of Ross.
Surrey continues to add points in the standings and many in the area have come extremely
familiar with the speed displayed by various Eagle players.
The Eagles speed, no-quick attitude allows them to show the hockey world what they are
offering and in yet another O/T game, while the Eagles won – it’s the fans who are the winners.

FORTISBC​ ​ENERGY​ ​PLAYER​ ​OF​ ​THE​ ​GAME
JACKSON​ ​ROSS 1​ ​GOAL
THREE​ ​STARS:
1st Aaron​ ​White (1​ ​Goal/1​ ​Assist)
2nd Grayson​ ​constable (2​ ​Assists)
3rd Perry​ ​Winfree (1​ ​Goal)
Special​ ​Teams
Surrey 1 goal on 3 PP chances
Salmon Arm 1 goal on 5 PP chances
Surrey​ ​returns​ ​to​ ​the​ ​“Nest”​ ​Sunday​ ​October​ ​28th​ ​for​ ​a​ ​4​ ​pm​ ​game​ ​against​ ​Prince​ ​George