Esposito Lifts Chiefs Past Eagles

Luke Esposito scored the winner at 1:46 of the second overtime period to lift the Chilliwack Chiefs past the Surrey Eagles 4-3 on Sunday evening at the South Surrey Arena. With the win, the Chiefs have now taken two of three games against the Birds in the season series between the two teams. Josh Halpenny made 33 saves to pick up the win in his first BCHL start for Chilliwack.

However, Halpenny didn't get off to a great start. Less than five minutes into the first period, Brett Mulcahy opened the scoring for Surrey, beating Halpenny between the legs with a slap shot from centre. 1:23 later, the Eagles went up 2-0 when Michael Stenerson found Devon Toews in the high slot, and the 18-year-old defenseman fired a wrist shot past the Chilliwack net minder to give the Eagles the two goal lead. In the dying seconds of the opening frame, Cooper Rush managed to beat Surrey goaltender Michael Santaguida with a shot from the top of the left circle that found its way across the line just as the horn sounded, pulling the Chiefs to within one after 20 minutes.

In the middle frame, Chilliwack battled back to take the lead. Spencer Graboski tied the game at 11:48, netting his second goal of the year. In the late stages of the period, the Chilliwack power play came to life after going 0-for-4 up to that point. Ben Israel picked up a rebound at the left post and knocked it into the net while Mulcahy looked on from the sin bin, and the Chiefs took the 3-2 lead into the intermission.

The Eagles managed to equalize early in the third when Demico Hannoun ripped the puck past Halpenny from the high slot to even the score at 3-3. Despite a number of chances for both teams in the latter part of the third, the game remained tied and overtime would be required. Neither team could find the net until Esposito scored the winning goal, deking into the slot and beating Santaguida above the blocker to end the game.

Surrey failed to capitalize on the man advantage for a fifth straight game, despite getting six opportunities. The Eagles are 0-for-24 on the power play over that five game span. 

The Birds return to action on Friday when they host the Prince George Spruce Kings. The puck drops at 7 o'clock at the South Surrey Arena. For tickets, call 604-531-4625.

My 3 Stars:

1. Luke Esposito - Chilliwack

2. Spencer Graboski - Chilliwack

3. Devon Toews - Surrey

Official 3 Stars:

1. Spencer Graboski - Chilliwack

2. Devon Toews - Surrey

3. Michael Stenerson - Surrey

Pre-Game Report: Eagles vs. Chiefs

The Surrey Eagles and Chilliwack Chiefs will face each other for the third time in the month of September this afternoon at the South Surrey Arena. The teams split their first two match-ups as the Eagles won 3-2 in overtime on September 14th. Drew Best had the winning goal for the Birds. The following night, the Chiefs got a measure of revenge with a 4-2 win at Prospera Centre.

Surrey is coming off a tight 2-1 victory over the Coquitlam Express on Friday evening in which goaltender Michael Santaguida shone, making 30 saves in his first BCHL start. The Birds have yet to win two games in a row this season and will look to buck that trend today. Trevor Cameron will serve the third and final game of his suspension. He'll be eligible to return on Friday against Prince George. Surrey sits in third in the Mainland Division heading into today's action with a record of 4-3-0-0.

The Chiefs are also coming off a win after they defeated the Powell River Kings 3-0 on Friday. Austin Plevy, who is committed to Merrimack, leads Chilliwack with seven points in six games. Net minder Mitch Gillam has also had a strong start to the year with a 1.81 goals-against-average and a .953 save percentage. The Chiefs are currently in last place in the Mainland Division. They're 3-2-0-1.

After today's game, the Eagles will host another Sunday Skate. Bring your skates and sticks out to the rink and join the boys on the ice following the game at around 6:45pm.

Where: South Surrey Arena

When: 4:00pm

How to listen: http://ustream.tv/channel/surreyeagleshockey or on 88.7FM in the arena

How to watch: http://fasthockey.com

Santaguida Stones Express

In his first BCHL start, Michael Santaguida made 30 saves to help the Surrey Eagles to a 2-1 victory over the Coquitlam Express at the Poirier Sports and Leisure Complex on Friday night. Surrey improved to 4-3-0-0 on the season with the win while the Express lost their second straight game to fall to 4-2-0-0.

The Birds got on the board early in the first when Joel Gaudet scored his first BCHL goal as he walked into the slot uncontested and tucked the puck past the right pad of Coquitlam goaltender Cole Huggins. Surrey would double its lead before the end of the opening frame when Tommy Stepancik's point shot took an odd bounce in front of the goal and found its way into the net at 9:07.

Neither team was able to find the net in the second period, but the Express pulled to within one midway through the third when Brady Shaw fired a tough angle shot from the left corner that found its way between the legs of Santaguida. The Eagles got into penalty trouble late in the game, giving the Express a 6-on-3 advantage with Huggins on the bench, but Santaguida was equal to the challenge, making a number of big saves to help secure the win for Surrey.

Both teams struggled with the man advantage, each going 0-for-6 on the power play. The Express penalty kill, which has yet to surrender a goal this season, remains tops in the league.

Kolten Grieve played his first game of the regular season for Surrey after he was added to the roster earlier in the day. Trevor Cameron sat out the second game of his three game suspension.

Up next, the Eagles return home for a Sunday afternoon match-up with the Chilliwack Chiefs at the South Surrey Arena. The puck drops at 4pm. For tickets, call 604-531-4625.

My 3 Stars:
1. Michael Santaguida - Surrey
2. Mitch Nardi - Coquitlam
3. Devon Toews - Surrey

Official 3 Stars:
1. Michael Santaguida - Surrey
2. Mitch Nardi - Coquitlam
3. Devon Toews - Surrey

Grieve Added to Roster, Eagles Part Ways with Orser

For immediate release: September 28, 2012

The Surrey Eagles Hockey Club announced on Friday that forward Kolten Grieve (94) has been added to the team's roster. Grieve had a strong training camp with the Eagles but has been sidelined due to injury for the past few weeks.

As a result, the Eagles and defenseman Beau Orser have decided to part ways. Orser put up 17 points over parts of three seasons in his time in Surrey.

"We made a decision for the team and for Beau as a player, what would be best for both sides," said Eagles assistant coach Peter Schaefer. "We came to an agreement where he's going to try to get an opportunity with another club."

The Eagles would like to thank Orser for his time spent in the organization and wish him all the best in the future.

Pre-Game Report: Eagles at Express

The Surrey Eagles will pay their first visit of the season to the Poirier Sports and Leisure Complex tonight to face the Coquitlam Express. It's the first of eight meetings between the two lower mainland rivals. The teams met twice in the pre-season. The first game was a 4-4 tie in Coquitlam while the Eagles won 4-2 in the return match-up at the South Surrey Arena.

Surrey is coming off a hard fought 5-4 loss at the hands of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Sunday. Since then, the team released goaltender Edward Dyson, who allowed five goals on 31 shots in the loss to the 'Dogs, and added Mississauga, Ontario native Michael Santaguida to the roster. Meanwhile, Demico Hannoun has had a strong start to the season, leading the team in points (7) and assists (4). The 16-year-old has also scored in both of his last two games and has five points in that span. The Birds have yet to win two games in a row this season and sit with a record of 3-3-0-0, good enough for third in the Mainland Division.

The Express enter tonight's action atop the Mainland Division with a record of 4-1-0-0. Their only loss of the season came last Sunday against the Victoria Grizzlies. A big reason for Coquitlam's early season success is the strength of their penalty kill as they have yet to allow a power play goal in 26 man advantage opportunities for their opponents. Cole Huggins has been a wall in goal for the Express as well. The native of Englewood, Colorado leads the league in goals-against-average (0.86) and save percentage (.974). He also has two shutouts in four starts and was named the BCHL Player of the Week after the Showcase weekend at the beginning of the season.

Where: Poirier Sports and Leisure Complex

When: 7:00pm

How to listen: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/surreyeagleshockey

How to watch: http://fasthockey.com

The Matt Erhart Show: September 26, 2012

Eagles Make Change in Goal

For immediate release: September 26, 2012

On Wednesday, the Surrey Eagles Hockey Club announced the addition of goaltender Michael Santaguida (93) to its roster.

Santaguida comes to Surrey from the Tri-City Storm of the USHL where he started this season. Previously, the Mississauga, Ontario native spent two seasons playing for Avon Old Farms Prep School in Connecticut.

The Eagles also released goaltender Edward Dyson (92). The team would like to wish Edward all the best in his future endeavours.