Friday, March 8, 2013

Eagles Win Big in Coquitlam

Thanks to eight goals scored by eight different players, the Surrey Eagles cruised to an 8-1 win over the Coquitlam Express on Friday evening at the Poirier Sports and Leisure Complex in Coquitlam. Michael Santaguida made 20 saves for his league leading 29th victory of the season.

Trevor Cameron opened the scoring for Surrey less than a minute into the first period when his shot off the rush eluded Coquitlam starter Daniel Urbani. The game stayed at 1-0 until late in the opening frame when the Birds were given a power play after Adam Rockwood was sent to the sin bin for slashing, and Brady Shaw rippled the mesh with a one-timer from the high slot for his team leading 38th goal of the season.

Surrey got off to a good start in the second as well when Michael Stenerson scored a short handed goal at 1:31. Urbani's night came to an early end before the midway mark of the stanza after Kevan Kilistoff extended the Surrey lead, and the 17-year-old Coquitlam net minder was pulled after allowing four goals in 12 shots. Cole Huggins came into the game in place of Urbani and made an immediate impact, making two beautiful stops on Shaw before the end of the period. But despite Huggins' strong play, the Eagles tallied another goal on the man advantage when Craig Wyszomirski tipped Adam Tambellini's shot into the Express' net.

The Eagles' power play scored again in the third. This time it was Colton Mackie finding the back of the net with a one-timer from the bottom of the right circle. Coquitlam's lone goal also came on the man advantage when former Eagle captain Brandon Morley pounced on the rebound of an Adam Rossignol chance to spoil Santaguida's shutout bid. Surrey scored twice more before the end of the game. Stefan Burzan netted his sixth of the year and Drew Best tallied his 16th.

Both teams were 50 per cent on the power play -- Surrey was 3-for-6 while Coquitlam was 1-for-2. Trevor Cameron led the way for the Eagles offensively with a goal and two assists.

The win over Coquitlam, coupled with the fact that Penticton lost to Vernon on Friday, means that the Birds now control their own destiny when it comes to finishing first in the regular season standings. The Eagles can clinch the Ron Boileau Memorial Trophy with a victory against the Express on Saturday. For tickets to Saturday's game, call the Eagles office at 604-531-GOAL (4625).

Pro4 Sports 3 Stars:
1. Malcolm McKinney - Coquitlam
2. Michael Santaguida - Surrey
3. Michael Stenerson - Surrey

My 3 Stars:
1. Trevor Cameron - Surrey
2. Michael Stenerson - Surrey
3. Michael Santaguida - Surrey

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