The Surrey Eagles (1-17-2) faced off against the Langley Rivermen (10-11) on Friday, and things didn’t get off to a great start, as the Rivermen scored just over a minute in after a great setup from Sam Allaby to team goal leader Zachary Benayon. The Eagles battled back, though, as young goaltender Grady Petersen—making his BCHL debut—made several strong saves. That momentum led to Surrey tying the game when new Eagle Matson Waring showed off some slick dangles before sniping one top-corner past Rivermen goaltender Dylan Johnson. Langley regained the momentum late in the period, finishing a beautiful tic-tac-toe play to take a 2–1 lead into the second.
After Parker Forlin restored the Rivermen’s lead late in the first, Langley picked up right where they left off. Just over five minutes into the second, Aaron Reierson extended the lead off another great setup. The Eagles, however, wouldn’t go away. Late in the period, on the power play, Dryden Kuramoto collected his fourth goal of the season, bringing Surrey back within one heading into the third as they looked to snap the Rivermen’s unbeaten streak when leading after two periods.
Early in the third, it looked like the plan might work, as Surrey generated multiple chances to tie the game. But Johnson stood tall, keeping the period scoreless until just after the media timeout when Langley’s Aaron Reierson netted his second of the game. The goal seemed to light a fire under Surrey, who continued to push for life, but Johnson remained solid. The Rivermen also played strong defence, blocking a ton of shots. The Eagles would actually outshoot Langley 16–13 in the third period, but it wouldn’t be enough. Reierson completed his hat trick after the Eagles pulled the goalie on a late power play, sealing a 5–2 final.
Dryden Kuramoto earned FortisBC Energy Player of the Game honours. Matson Waring was named the third star in his Eagles debut, Zachary Benayon took second-star honours, and hat-trick hero Aaron Reierson was named the first star of the game.
The Eagles are back in action on November 28 against the Spruce Grove Saints. Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m. MST.
