In a weekend that saw a four-game win streak come to an end, the Surrey Eagles aren’t complaining.
The B.C. Hockey League team earned five of a possible six points, including three of four while on a two-game trip in the north Okanagan, and have taken over sole possession of second place in the Coastal Division.
Now on an 8-1-0-1 (won-loss-tied-overtime loss) since the Thanksgiving weekend, the Eagles edged the Salmon Arm Silverbacks 3-2 in overtime Friday night, lost by the same score in extra time Saturday in Vernon against the Vipers, then derailed the Coquitlam Express by a 6-1 score Monday afternoon in the South Surrey Arena.
Tied with the Express for third place – behind the Prince George Spruce Kings – a week ago, Surrey is now three up on Prince George and five better than Coquitlam.
The Eagles took 33 of their 36 shots at the Coquitlam goal in the first 40 minutes, finding the net a half-dozen times. Drew Best sandwiched a pair of goals around an Express power play tally in the first period, then completed his hat trick five minutes into the second for a 3-1 Surrey lead.
Demico Hannoun, Nicolas Peirog and Stefan Burzan added to the Eagles goal total before the second intermission.
The Express dominated play in the third period, outshooting their hosts 17-3, but couldn’t beat Michael Santaguida in the Surrey goal.
The weekend road trip began with Santaguida earning first-star honors in a win over the Silverbacks, as the 19-year-old netminder from Mississauga, Ontario stopped 33 of 35 Salmon Arm shots.
Surrey, which managed just 21 shots on goal, didn’t lead until Jordan Klimek scored two minutes into overtime. Kevan Kilistoff and Trevor Cameron tallied in regulation time, each goal tying the game after Salmon Arm took a one-goal lead.
It was the Eagles having an edge in shots on goal Saturday in Vernon, only to lose in overtime. Goaltenders dominated with Surrey holding a 48-40 edge in shots.
Vernon scored the game’s first goal, but Mason Blacklock netted a shorthanded goal to tie the game 1-1 after 20 minutes. The Vipers took another lead five minutes into the second frame, then Brett Mulcahy replied for the Eagles while on the powerplay.
Vernon scored the winner with five seconds remaining in the second overtime period.
Having earned 11 points in six games in the month of November, the Eagles have a chance to move into a first-place tie with the Chilliwack Chiefs when the two teams clash tomorrow (Friday) night in the South Surrey Arena. Game time is at 7 p.m.