With ten games remaining, the Surrey Eagles have clinched their spot in the BC Hockey League playoffs. After back to back wins, the Eagles ended the weekend with a loss against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
Goalie Reece Klassen started all three games and has won five of his eight starts. Forward Cristophe Tellier stayed hot this weekend after being named the BCHL player of the week last week, finishing with six points in three games.
3-0 shutout against Prince George
As the Eagles take the ice for the third, let's take a look back at the two goals that got them here! #OurNestOurFight pic.twitter.com/Xyka3lH7wB
— Surrey Eagles (@SurreyEagles) January 25, 2020
The Eagles returned from a five-game road trip where they went 3-1-1, beating the Spruce Kings twice on the road. Surrey continues its dominance over Prince George and holds a 6-1 record against their division rivals.
Before the game, the team held a ceremonial face-off for captain Hudson Schandor. Schandor scored his 100th career point in the BCHL while the team was on the road.
Tellier opened the scoring with a power play goal in the second period, giving him 25 goals on the season, followed by Hassan Akl’s second goal of the season. Schandor scored his 18th goal to give the Eagles a 3-0 lead in the third period. Surrey went six for six on the penalty kill and Klassen made 35 saves for the shutout win, the first donut for the Eagles in over two years.
7-2 win over Merritt
The Eagles clinched a playoff spot with their win against the Merritt Centennials. They sit eight points behind the Chilliwack Chiefs with two more games played.
The Eagles capitalized on four of their seven power play chances, while killing off four of the five power plays Merritt had. Surrey opened the scoring in the first on a goal from returning forward Sean Ramsay. Tellier and Wyatt Schlaht followed up with two power play goals in the second. After that Ramsay scored another goal in the second period to give Surrey a 4-0 lead before the Centennials cut it in half. The Eagles power play continued to score in the third period with goals from forward Gabe Schovanek and defensemen Cade Alami. Forward Kenny Riddett also had an unassisted goal in the final frame. Forwards Adamo Santia, Schovanek, Tellier and defensemen Owen Nolan all had two points in the game, while goaltender Klassen had another big night stopping 28 of the 30 shots he faced.
3-2 loss against Salmon Arm
As Darth Vader and his stormtroopers near #TheNest's proximity, we are nearing full capacity for this afternoon's #StarWars night. To our fans who want to come face off against the Empire, we recommend you come early to grab your ticket! Doors open at 3:00pm. #OurNestOurFight pic.twitter.com/L05AH6qEjS
— Surrey Eagles (@SurreyEagles) January 26, 2020
To close out the weekend, Surrey lost a close game against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks on Star Wars night at the South Surrey Arena.
The Silverbacks took a 1-0 lead in the first period thanks to a goal from Nick Unruh. Brandon Santa Juana’s 12th goal of the season tied the game up in the second period on the power play. Noah Wakeford helped Salmon Arm retake the lead 5:39 into the third. Schandor tied the game on the power play at 15:17 followed by Coalson Wolford scoring the game winning goal for Salmon Arm on the power play with just under two minutes left to play.
Salmon Arm goaltender Grant Adams was the first star of the game after stopping 42 of the 44 shots he faced on the night. Santa Juana (one goal, one assist) and Tellier (two assists) both had a pair of power play points on the night for Surrey.
Next Up
Surrey has one more game left in the month of January. It’s this Friday against Chilliwack. The Eagles are 6-3-1 this month and will look to wrap it up on a strong note.
