Birds Roll Over Express

Photo courtesy of Garrett James

Captain Brett Mulcahy led the way with two goals as the Surrey Eagles skated to a 6-2 victory over the Coquitlam Express at the South Surrey Arena on Wednesday evening. The win moved Surrey into first place in the Mainland Division, two points up on the Chilliwack Chiefs.

Neither team found the back of the net in the opening frame, but Surrey goaltender Michael Santaguida made a couple of spectacular saves to keep the Express off the scoreboard. First, he robbed Coquitlam forward Sam Majka with a phenomenal stick save, taking away what looked to be a sure goal. Later in the period, Santaguida was pressed into action again when he made a sprawling stop on Malcolm McKinney.

The Birds took control of the game in the middle frame, scoring three unanswered goals. Michael Stenerson got Surrey on the board just past the midway mark of the period, burying his 11th of the season. Brady Shaw doubled the lead just a few minutes later with a wrist shot from the right circle on the power play that beat Coquitlam goalie Cole Huggins over the blocker, and only 37 seconds after Shaw's goal, Mason Blacklock made it 3-0 when he redirected a pass from Trevor Cameron past Huggins.

Surrey went ahead 4-0 in the final frame as Craig Wyszomirski skated relatively uncontested into the slot and fired a backhander that found the top corner. But the Express wouldn't go down without a fight. John Siemer spoiled Santaguida's shutout bid, netting his 20th goal of the season to pull Coquitlam to within three goals. Mulcahy extended the Surrey lead once again at 13:19 when he picked the top left corner of the net with a nifty wrister, but Coquitlam battled back once again as Phil Zielonka picked up his 20th of the year. In the final minute, Mulcahy capped off the victory when he tipped a Dan O'Keefe point shot past Huggins for his second of the evening.

Surrey went 2-for-4 on the power play while Coquitlam was 1-for-4. The Express out shot the Eagles 36-35. Surrey's newest addition, Ryan Fraser-Lee, did not suit up on Wednesday.

The Birds will return to action on Friday evening when they host the defending Royal Bank Cup champion Penticton Vees. For tickets, call 604-531-4625.

Official 3 Stars:

1. Michael Santaguida - Surrey

2. Brady Shaw - Surrey

3. Craig Wyszomirski - Surrey

My 3 Stars:

1. Brett Mulcahy - Surrey

2. Devon Toews - Surrey

3. Michael Santaguida - Surrey