The Surrey Eagles are back to even terms in their B.C. Hockey League playoff series with the Prince George Spruce Kings and they have at least 46 reasons to thank Mario Cavaliere for making that possible.
That’s how many saves the 20-year-old Eagles goalie made Saturday to preserve a 3-2 win over the Spruce Kings which tied the best-of-seven Mainland Division final series 1-1, in front of 1,311 witnesses at Rolling Mix Concrete Arena.
John Wesley’s second goal of the playoffs, 12:21 into the third period, was one of only three shots the Eagles had in the period but it gave the visitors a two-goal lead. Wesley, the third-leading scorer in the BCHL this season, toe-dragged the puck to avoid the check of Liam Watson-Brawn and from the slot rifled a high shot in behind Evan DeBrouwer.
“It’s a tough goal to give up,” said Spruce Kings centre Dustin Manz, “especially after getting back within one but we have to learn how to battle back in those situations and not allow a goal like that to go in and play better defensively.”
Manz assisted on both Prince George goals.
Desi Burgart cashed in a 2-on-1 break on an Eagles’ power play to open the scoring with his BCHL-leading ninth goal of the playoffs, 10:54 into the second period. Five minutes later Aaron White banged in a rebound to put Surrey ahead 2-0 heading into the third period. Ethan de Jong scored the first Prince George goal, 7:41 into the third period.
Cavaliere shut down the repeated attempts of his opponents tie it up after de Jong scored. The Kings outshot the Eagles 10-5 in the first period, 21-11 in the second period and 17-3 in the third – a 48-19 advantage through 60 minutes.
Ben Brar scored with one second left but it was too late to salvage a win for the Spruce Kings, who hammered Surrey 9-1 on In Game 1 on Friday. In that game the shot count favoured the Kings 51-15.
The teams will resume the series Monday and Tuesday in Surrey. Game 5 will be played in Prince George on Thursday. If Game 6 is needed, that will be played Saturday in Surrey. If it goes to seven, it’s scheduled for Sunday night at RMCA.
BCHL playoffs
Prince George Spruce Kings vs. Surrey Eagles
(Best-of-seven Mainland Division final series tied 1-1)
Game 2
Saturday’s summary
Eagles 3 at Spruce Kings 2
First Period
No scoring.
Penalties – Danol Sur (boarding) 6:52, Bjork PG (high-sticking) 16:42.
Second Period
1. Surrey, Burgart 9 (Stewart, Ross ( 10:54 (pp)
2. Surrey, White 3 (Norton, Sundquist) 15:57
Penalty – Hayward PG (roughing) 9:44.
Third Period
3. Prince George, de Jong 5 (Manz, Cozzi) 7:41
4. Surrey, Wesley 2 (Westgard, Ross) 12:21
5. Prince George, Brar 3 (Manz) 19:59
Penalties – Bruschett Sur (holding stick), Lee PG (holding) 16:15.
Shots on goal by
Surrey 5 11 3 -19
Prince George 10 21 17 -48
Goal – Surrey, Cavaliere (W,5-4); Prince George, DeBrouwer (L,5-4).
Power plays – Sur: 1-2; PG: 0-1
Referees – Jake Podann, Jeff Eden; Linesmen – Anthony Maletta, Brett Burton.
Attendance – 1,311.
Scratches – Surrey: LW Jordan Robert (hip injury), D Ty Schultz (leg injury), D Cory Babichuk (injured), D Perry Winfree (injured); Prince George - C Ben Poisson (spleen injury, week to week), D Oliver Lest (sprained ankle, week to week), LW Cory Cunningham (healthy).
