Eagles and Kings Settle For Tie

For the first time this season, the Surrey Eagles played to a tie, finishing deadlocked 5-5 with the Powell River Kings on Friday evening at the South Surrey Arena. The draw ended the Birds' two game losing streak.

The Kings were the better team in the opening frame, generating a number of scoring chances and out shooting the Eagles 13-4. Despite carrying the majority of the play, Powell River didn't score until late in the period when Matthew Dupont knocked home a one-timer after a cross-crease pass from James Neil, and the Kings took a 1-0 lead into the intermission.

Demico Hannoun pulled the Birds onto even terms less than two minutes into the second period, firing a sharp-angle slap shot from the right boards that snuck past Powell River goalie Jonah Imoo on the short side. The Eagles took the lead a short time later when Mason Blacklock wired a wrister over Imoo's right shoulder off the rush. Stefan Burzan added his name to the score sheet at 7:32, walking into the slot right off a neutral zone face-off and scoring with a shot that beat Imoo cleanly. Moments later, the Kings net minder was pulled in favour of back-up Braeden Ostepchuk. Powell River pulled to within one goal when Jarryd Leung drove to the net and shoveled his own rebound past Michael Santaguida in the Surrey goal, but the Birds bounced back with two more goals from Drew Best and Craig Wyszomirski before the break, giving Surrey a 5-2 lead after 40 minutes.

Prior to the game on Friday, the Eagles were a perfect 11-0 in games where they led after two periods, but that streak came to an end as Powell River rallied to tie the game. The first Kings goal was scored by Jordan Burns on the power play before Evan Richardson and Luke Nogard added even strength markers to force overtime.

The Eagles had a number of high quality scoring chances in the two overtime periods, firing 10 shots on Ostepchuk's net while the Kings only mustered one shot on Santaguida, but neither side could find a winner.

Surrey's power play woes continued as the Birds went 0-for-3 with the man advantage while the Kings were 1-for-3. There were also a pair of fights in the game as Colton Mackie dropped the gloves with Evan Richardson in the second, and Craig Wyszomirski fought Stephen Hiff after the final buzzer, although the big Surrey defenseman was assessed an instigator penalty for the run in. The Kings finished ahead of the Eagles on the shot clock 35-34.

The Birds will play their final game before the holiday break on Sunday, December 16th when the Prince George Spruce Kings visit the South Surrey Arena. Puck drop is at 4:00pm.

Official 3 Stars:
1. Brady Shaw - Surrey
2. Jordan Burns - Powell River
3. Demico Hannoun - Surrey

My 3 Stars:
1. Craig Wyszomirski - Surrey
2. Drew Dorantes - Powell River
3. Mason Blacklock - Surrey

Pre-Game Report: Eagles vs. Kings

The Surrey Eagles will look to get back to their winning ways on Friday evening when they host the Powell River Kings at the South Surrey Arena. The game will mark the second meeting of the season between the Kings and Birds. Surrey skated away with a 3-2 overtime victory at the BCHL Showcase in Chilliwack on September 7th.

The Eagles are coming off back-to-back losses in Victoria and Nanaimo last weekend. It's only the second time the Birds have lost consecutive games this season and the first time the team has dropped two straight games in regulation time. Surrey has yet to lose three games in a row. After missing last weekend's road trip with the flu, Michael Santaguida is expected to start against Powell River on Friday.

Powell River sits in fourth in the Island Division, heading into Friday's action. However, the Kings are a comfortable 15 points up on the last place Cowichan Valley Capitals. The Kings are coming off a 3-2 loss to Victoria on December 7th but have won five of their last seven games. Goaltender Jonah Imoo, who started in goal for Team Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge in Nova Scotia, has been strong for Powell River this season, posting a record of 12-8-0 along with a 2.38 goals-against-average.

Where: South Surrey Arena

When: 7:00pm

How to listen: Eagles Broadcast or on 88.7FM in the arena

How to watch: Fast Hockey

The Matt Erhart Show: December 13, 2012

Eagles Collecting Donations for Surrey Food Bank

For immediate release: December 12, 2012

Surrey, BC - The Surrey Eagles will be collecting donations for the Surrey Food Bank at the team's game on Sunday, December 16th against the Prince George Spruce Kings.

The Surrey Food Bank is a non-profitable organization that receives no government funding and currently distributes approximately 2,000 food hampers each week. Fans can bring non-perishable food items to the arena on Sunday as well as donate money at the game.

"Giving to the Surrey Food Bank is extremely important, especially at this time of year," said Eagles Director of Sales and Marketing Andrew Delbaere. "We strongly urge our fans to donate at the game on Sunday and help the less fortunate as we enter the holiday season."

Sunday's game begins at 4:00pm at the South Surrey Arena. For tickets, call 604-531-4625 (GOAL). Fans can also donate money to the Surrey Food Bank by visiting http://www.surreyfoodbank.org.

The Dan and Mase Show: December 12, 2012

The Dan and Mase Show is a weekly program hosted by Eagles forward Mason Blacklock and defenseman Dan O'Keefe. This week, Dan and Mase were joined by goaltender Michael Santaguida and blue liner Devon Toews.
 

Birds Clipped 5-2 in Nanaimo

The Surrey Eagles lost their second straight game, falling 5-2 to the Nanaimo Clippers at Frank Crane Arena on Sunday afternoon. The loss marked the first time that the Birds have dropped two games in a row in regulation time this season.

Surrey jumped out to an early lead in the first minute of the game when Demico Hannoun beat Nanaimo goaltender Jayson Argue on the short side with a shot off the left wing. However, the Clippers evened the score just after the midway mark of the period when Michael Fretz, a call-up from the Oceanside Generals of the PIJHL, netted his first BCHL goal to tie the score.

Nanaimo took control of the game in the second period, out shooting the Birds 16-11 and scoring twice. Trevor Fitzgerald gave the Clips the lead at 7:39, and less than four minutes later, Brenden Forbes put them ahead 3-1. Brady Shaw had a golden opportunity to score for Surrey late in the middle frame but was robbed by Argue to maintain Nanaimo's two goal lead.

Surrey had a number of chances to get back into the game early in the third. Shaw had three breakaway opportunities but was stopped by Argue each time. The Birds finally broke through at 6:14 when Trevor Cameron buried his sixth of the season to pull Surrey to within one, but Nanaimo ended any hopes of a comeback for the Eagles when Kyle Kramer and Michael McNicholas scored 34 seconds apart to give the Clippers a commanding 5-2 lead that they wouldn't relinquish.

For the second consecutive day, the Surrey power play was unable to convert, going 0-for-3. Glenn Ferguson made 40 saves in goal for the Eagles. With the win, the Clippers snapped a three game losing streak.

The Birds will now return home to play the Powell River Kings on Friday, December 14th. Get your tickets to the game to help support Kidsport Surrey White Rock as partial proceeds from each ticket will go towards funding that helps under privileged children play organized sports. For tickets or to donate, call 604-531-GOAL (4625).

Official 3 Stars:
1. Michael McNicholas - Nanaimo
2. Jayson Argue - Nanaimo
3. Trevor Cameron - Surrey

My 3 Stars:
1. Jayson Argue - Nanaimo
2. Michael McNicholas - Nanaimo
3. Trevor Cameron - Surrey

Pre-Game Report: Eagles at Clippers

The Surrey Eagles will conclude their two game Island Division road-trip on Sunday afternoon when they visit the Nanaimo Clippers. The game will mark the first meeting between the two teams this season and Surrey's only visit to Frank Crane Arena.

The Birds are coming off a tight checking 2-1 loss to the Victoria Grizzlies on Saturday night. It was the first time the Eagles have lost in regulation on the road since October 27th. Surrey has been strong away from the friendly confines of the South Surrey Arena with a road record of 8-4-0-1 this season. Sunday's game will mark forward Mason Blacklock's return to Nanaimo. The White Rock native was acquired from the Clippers in mid-September.

Heading into Sunday's action, the Clippers sit in fourth in the Island Division with a huge 14 point lead on the Cowichan Valley Capitals. Nanaimo is on a three game losing streak after dropping two games to Powell River and one to Victoria. The Clips have also had a tough time against the Mainland Division this season with a record of 1-3-0-0. That one win came against the last place Langley Rivermen back on November 16th. Nanaimo native Greg Fraser leads the Clippers with 30 points on the season.

Where: Frank Crane Arena

When: 3:00pm

How to listen: Nanaimo Broadcast

How to watch: Fast Hockey