The Surrey Eagles and the Victoria Grizzlies played tight, solid hockey at the South Surrey Arena on Friday. So solid and so tight, in fact, that the game came within 1:19 of ending in a permanent deadlock. But when crunch time arrived, the speedy combination of Chris Santiago and Manraj Hayer made sure the Eagles came out on top.
Santiago and Hayer, who seem built for 3-on-3 hockey, initiated a breakout from their own blue line late in the second overtime period. Santiago carried the puck into the Victoria zone while Hayer made a break for the goal. The play led to Santiago putting the game-winner past Richard Virtanen to extend the Eagles’ winning streak to eight consecutive games.
Surrey head coach, Shane Kuss, talked about Hayer's effort on the winning tally: “We know he has the wheels, so we were kind of planning that – resting him and then giving him his shot at the end, and it worked.”
After an evenly contested regulation time, Surrey had the better chances in the extra periods. In fact, the game could have ended earlier if not for a pair of monster saves by Virtanen, including a diving glove save on Grant Toulmin that looked like a sure goal. At the other end, Vinny Lessard was equally impressive, making 34 saves and being named the game’s third star.
It was a highlight reel night for the goalies, who were a key to the game going so deep into extra time. Kuss breathed a sigh of relief after the edge-of-your-seat overtime action.
“I thought both teams worked very hard tonight, and both goalies played very well,” said Kuss. “It came down to who shot the puck last and thankfully it was us.”
Victoria opened the scoring on the night just 1:08 into the first period, but the Eagles answered back on a goal by Bradley McGowan.
In the second, it was Surrey’s turn to play with the lead. Tyler Morley scored his league-leading fourth short-handed goal of the year after Michael Krgovich intercepted a Victoria pass and fed Morley at the side of the net for the go-ahead goal. “
Morley’s playing better and better every game,” said Kuss. “He’s starting to get confidence and it’s great to see him do it.”
Victoria’s Derek Bacon tied the game in the third on a drive to the net that was both hard-nosed and elegant. The play earned him second star honours in a losing cause.
With the win, the Eagles improve to 11-1 in their last twelve, and take a five point lead over the second place Powell River Kings in the Coastal Conference. The Eagles will try to expand that gap on Saturday, when they meet the Kings in Powell River.
