So if you where a scout in the crowd on Friday night, you'd be hard pressed to tell which team was in first place and which team was in last in the Coastal Conference for the first two periods.
The Grizzlies weathered some initial pressure from the Eagle,s as the game turned into a neutral zone battle with some Cam Lawson trickery creating chances for the Grizzlies forwards.
But, whenever the Eagles broke down the ice, they have some quick skilled skaters who drive to the net often and effectively. After some good work from Eagles forward Mulcahy he released the impressive, hard skating Colton Mackie who drove to the net and powering his way by a Grizzlies defenceman to beat Nick Taylor for a 1-0 Surrey lead.
The Grizzlies would be dealt another blow as Kevin Smith, who has had some shoulder issue lately left the game in the middle of the first period. The Grizzlies who where also missing Chase Kaiser on the night who is till trying to rebound from an injury picked up a couple of weeks ago, would now be missing two important pieces of the puzzle. It would finish 1-0 visitors at the end of the first period.
The 2nd Period would start brightly for the Grizzlies with Alex Holland and Myles Powell putting some pressure on Eagles netminder Barrie.
Both teams would continue to battle throughout the 2nd and it would be the Grizzlies who would be rewarded as Coltyn Hansen would take off down the left wing, compose himself and score a beauty of a wrist shot into the top right hand corner of Barrie's net. We've all the seen Coltyn Hansen improve every game he's played this season with his puck handling and scoring starting to complement his speed and skill.
Nick Taylor would hold firm through out the 2nd as the Grizzlies defence had to be sharp to keep the Morley brothers, Mulcahy and Demico Hannoun at bay.
The 3rd Period would see some tired Grizzlies legs and the league leading Eagles start to take command. With Surrey rolling there lines nicely and really starting to show why they should be crowned Coastal Conference champs this season, would score two power play goals from Hannoun and from one of the better offence D-men in the BCHL in the last two years, Steve Koshey, to give Surrey a 3-1 lead.
The Grizzlies never gave up, but, became a little overwhelmed as the Eagles would start to pepper Nick Taylor's net. The Irish Assasin, Mulcahy would really bury the contest 3 minutes from the end as he would make it 4-1, courtesy of the Morley brothers. Ex-Clipper Brayden Jaw would add a fifth goal to give the Eagles a 5-1 victory on the night.
Grizzlies thoughts - The first two periods they really held their own and created chances putting Surrey under some pressure. Having lost Kaiser at start of the game and Kevin Smith in the 2nd, didn't help the cause though. However, it was another good team effort which ran out of steam in the third.
To add, it was another promising showing from Nick Taylor and also credit to D-man Jaden Schmeisser who gives his all out there, in all game situations every night. One thing about Schmeisser, you knock him down, he's getting right back up again; better hope he doesn't get your number.
Eagles Thoughts - In seven years of watching the BCHL, this Eagles team is talented, but, it's the most hard working Eagles team I've seen. They have depth, scoring punch, 3 capable lines, a good shut down unit and two good reliable goaltenders. Coach Matt Erhart is one of the best young coaches in the Junior ranks, who is a tactician and gets the best out of his players.
In my mind, they are the only team in the Coastal who could really give the Penticton Vees a run for their money in the BCHL championship game!!!!
3 Stars of the Games
1st * - Brett Mulcahy 2nd * - Demico Hannoun 3rd * - Nick Taylor
Attendence - 682 Shots on Goal - Grizzlies 25 and Eagles 46
Powerplays - Grizzlies 0 for 4 and Eagles 2 for 4
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