Eagles vs. Chiefs December 28, 2012 Game Highlights

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The Dan and Mase Show: January 2, 2013

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 forwards Kevan Kilistoff and Demico Hannoun.

Morley Excelling in Alaska

2012 has been a year of change for Tyler Morley. The former captain of the Surrey Eagles wrapped up his junior career after the Birds’ playoff loss to the Powell River Kings in April, and in the fall, the Burnaby native made the move north to Fairbanks, Alaska to play for the University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks in the NCAA’s Central Collegiate Hockey Association.

After four years with the Eagles, the transition to college hockey was an adjustment for Morley, but he has adapted well, posting six goals and four assists in his first 18 games – good enough for second on his team in scoring.

“It’s been a big adjustment with big expectations and lots of pressure, but it’s been really good,” said Morley. “It’s a lot faster hockey, but I’ve had really good support from the coaching staff, and they have a really good program. I’m really happy with everything so far.”

While Morley is focused on achieving his goals on the ice, he now has the added responsibility of balancing hockey with school. As a freshman, the 21-year-old is working towards a degree in business.

“You go from junior where you don’t really worry about school, and you can just focus on hockey, but now you have to focus on your priorities and have time management skills. The coach wants us to have at least a 2.8 GPA, and I think our team average this year is a 3.2 which is really high, so it’s good for the program that everyone is focused on school and everyone helps each other.”

Although the jump to college hockey has been a big change in Morley’s life, the move to Alaska has its own unique challenges, including the team’s travel schedule. The Nanooks fly down to the United States almost every other week during the season for away games, sometimes traveling as far as Florida, and every road game comes with at least a four hour time difference.

“It’s definitely different,” said Morley. “Flying everywhere is quite a luxury. It’s fun. We leave for road trips on Tuesday nights, so we’re with the guys all week. It’s really a different atmosphere than some other schools where they just bus to a game on a Thursday. We’re together all week from Tuesday onwards every other week.”

Morley might never have played in Alaska if not for a big decision prior to his final year in Surrey. He had originally committed to attend Merrimack College along with his younger brother Brandon, but the two siblings opted to de-commit, a decision that Morley is very happy he made.

“It’s something I’ll never regret,” he said. “Looking back on it, it was a tough decision, especially being a 20-year-old in the BCHL. I just stuck with my gut and had support from family, friends and the Eagles, and it turned out to be the best decision.”

The Nanooks currently sit in eighth in the CCHA with a record of 4-7-3-1.

Santaguida Snags Player of the Week

Eagles goaltender Michael Santaguida has been named the Gongshow BCHL Player of the Week.

Here's the full release from the BCHL website:

Surrey Eagles goaltender Michael Santaguida has been named the Gongshow BCHL Player of the Week for the week ending Dec. 30, the league announced Monday.

Santaguida posted the first two shutouts of his BCHL career on consecutive nights as part of a three-win Eagles weekend. The Mississauga, Ont. native notched his first goose egg making 41 saves in a 3-0 win over Chilliwack and followed it up with 32 saves in a 2-0 win over Coquitlam.

The 5-foot-9, 175-pound netminder was named 1st Star in both shutout wins and also made 23 saves in the first game back after Christmas, a 5-3 victory over Chilliwack.

Honourable mentions this week go to:

Langley Rivermen F Jakob Reichert (1G 4A, FortisBC Energy Player)

Surrey Eagles D Craig Wyszomirksi (1G 1A, GWG, FortisBC Energy Player)

Nanaimo Clippers F Trevor Fitzgerald (2G 1A, 1st Star)

Surrey Eagles F Trevor Cameron (1G 2A, GWG)

Langley Rivermen F Mario Puskarich (2G 3A, 2nd Star)

Birds Blank Express 2-0

The Surrey Eagles completed an undefeated weekend, winning their third game in a row by a score of 2-0 over the Coquitlam Express on Sunday. Michael Santaguida made 32 saves for his second shutout in as many nights in the win. The Birds now sit just one point back of the division leading Chilliwack Chiefs.

The game began on a sour note for Surrey when new addition Troy Paterson left the game with an injury less than three minutes into the first period after taking a heavy hit from Express forward Malcolm McKinney, leaving the Birds with only five defenseman. The two teams traded chances in the opening period but both Santaguida and Express net minder Cole Huggins kept the game scoreless after 20 minutes.

The Eagles took control of the game in the middle frame, out shooting the Express 27-4 and scoring twice. Craig Wyszomirski -- fresh off his commitment to Merrimack College -- netted his sixth of the year at 4:26 when his wrist shot from the left point was tipped by the stick of Coquitlam forward Luca Leone and past Huggins. Surrey doubled the lead later in the period when Mason Blacklock tipped a Nic Pierog backhander from the slot into the Express' goal.

Coquitlam had a couple of chances to get on the scoreboard early in the third, including a golden opportunity for John Siemer when he made a beautiful deke to the backhand but missed wide of the net. Santaguida kept the Express at bay throughout the remainder of the third, and the Eagles built off that momentum, shutting the game down and closing out the victory. 

Santaguida has now pitched 146 minutes and 25 seconds of shutout hockey. The last goal he allowed came in the second period of Friday's win over Chilliwack. Cole Huggins also had a phenomenal game, despite the loss. The Englewood, Colorado native made 60 saves on 62 shots -- the most the Eagles have fired at an opposing goaltender all season.

Surrey will head out on the road next weekend to play games in Trail and Penticton on Friday and Saturday.

Official 3 Stars:

1. Michael Santaguida - Surrey

2. Cole Huggins - Coquitlam

3. Devon Toews - Surrey

My 3 Stars:

1. Michael Santaguida - Surrey

2. Cole Huggins - Coquitlam

3. Devon Toews - Surrey

Wyszomirski To Attend Merrimack

For immediate release: December 30, 2012

Surrey, BC - The Surrey Eagles Hockey Club is thrilled to announce that defenseman Craig Wyszomirski has committed to attend Merrimack College, beginning in the 2013-2014 season. 

The 20-year-old blue liner joined the Eagles at the start of this season and has posted five goals and 14 assists in 30 games. A native of Mahwah, New Jersey, Wyszomirski has already played in the NCAA after spending the 2011-2012 season at Providence College where he played in four games.

"I think Craig has really taken his game to the next level with us this year," said Eagles Head Coach and GM Matt Erhart. "He's a big physical force, but he can also make plays, and he's been good on the power play and penalty kill. We're very excited for him."

Merrimack is located in North Landover, Massachusetts. The Warriors play in the NCAA's Division I Hockey East Association.

"Hockey East is one of the best conferences in college hockey," said Wyszomirski. "I'm just ecstatic to be committed to Merrimack. It's a small campus which is great because everyone knows each other. The hockey team is pretty popular on campus, and they're renovating their rink as well. It just seemed like a great place to be and a great environment."

Wyszomirski becomes the sixth member of the Eagles to commit to an NCAA school, joining Devon Toews (Quinnipiac, 2013), Michael Stenerson (Alaska Anchorage, 2013), Dan O'Keefe (Yale, 2014), Brady Shaw (Bentley, 2013) and Michael Santaguida (Vermont, 2013).

The Eagles would like to congratulate Wyszomirski on his accomplishment.

Pre-Game Report: Eagles at Express

The Surrey Eagles will look for their third win in as many days when they visit the Coquitlam Express on Sunday afternoon at the Poirier Spots and Leisure Complex. The Birds lead the season series with the Coquitlam 3-0-0-0. In the most recent game between the two teams, the Eagles picked up a 4-2 win at the South Surrey Arena on November 30th.

Surrey enters Sunday's action riding high after back-to-back victories over the division leading Chilliwack Chiefs. Saturday's 3-0 win in Chilliwack lifted the Birds into second place in the division, and the Eagles can move to within one point of the Chiefs with a victory on Sunday. After committing to Vermont on Saturday afternoon, Michael Santaguida was phenomenal in the Surrey goal against Chilliwack, picking up his first shutout of the year. The Mississauga, Ontario native has played in all three games against Coquitlam this season, allowing only four goals on 111 shots.

Coquitlam is coming off two consecutive losses to the Langley Rivermen on Friday and Saturday by scores of 6-1 and 7-4 respectively. In those two games, Express net minder Cole Huggins struggled mightily, allowing nine goals on 39 shots -- including three goals on his first nine shots on Saturday before being pulled from the net. On a more positive note, Forward Phil Zielonka has been an offensive juggernaut for the Express. After joining the team in mid-October, Zielonka has posted at least a point in 20 of the 21 games he's played in an Express uniform. The 19-year-old sits in fourth in the league in points-per-game with 1.48.

Where: Poirier Sports and Leisure Complex

When: 2:00pm

How to listen: Eagles Broadcast

How to watch: Fast Hockey