By Isabella Urbani (Image: Brandon Sims)
SURREY – The defending Fred Page Cup Champions fell to the Prince George Spruce Kings 4-1 after the opposition tallied the game’s first goal and scored in the following two frames. The Eagles were welcomed back to the Nest for their first game of the 2024-25 campaign by a crowd of 1,150 people who witnessed the presentation of the Fred Page Cup and the unveiling of five new banners to the rafters as last season’s BCHL Mainland Cup Champions, Coastal Conference Division and Conference Champions, League Champions, and Fred Page Champions.
The opening night commemorations concluded with player introductions, including this season’s leadership group. Returning forwards Ryan Evenhuis, Savek Brar, Massimo Fazio, and Sam Elliott will serve as assistant captains, and University of Alaska Fairbanks commit, defenceman Jackson Anderson as captain. Anderson began his captaincy duties by heading to centre ice with the Surrey City Council for the game’s ceremonial puck drop.
The Spruce Kings took 1:13 seconds to get themselves on the scoresheet with the lone goal of the period, as forward Cooper Williams beat Eagles goaltender Jaiden Sharma with a rising wrist shot off an unlucky deflection. 1-0 Prince George. After an early push from Prince George, Surrey settled into the period and directed 11 shots on Spruce King goalie Carter Wishart, ending the period on their first of five power play opportunities off a Prince George high-sticking penalty.
The second period spelled trouble for the Eagles. After leading the shot column 11-4 after the first, Surrey was outshot 19-7 and found themselves down by three after even-strength goals from defenceman Aidan Souligny and forward Aidan Carolan. The Eagles were able to kill off both of Prince George’s power plays in the second period, and lone opportunity in the third, to remain perfect in that stat category to start the season. In familiar fashion to their first goal, Prince George doubled their lead by walking into a shot from the top of the circle. 2-0 Prince George. The Spruce Kings’ scored their second goal of the period and third of the game on a second-effort attempt by Carolan after Surrey goaltender Sharma made the initial save on a cross-ice feed. 3-0 Prince George.
After an underwhelming second, the Eagles were able to generate more time and quality shots in the offensive zone in the third period. The final frame was particularly eventful for Surrey’s Brandon Gill. In the final seven minutes of the game, the rookie forward served the Eagles too many men penalty, was hit in the face by a Spruce King high-stick, and notched Surrey’s first goal this season off a backdoor tap-in from Jagjeevan Phangura and Anderson on the second half of the high-sticking double minor he drew. 3-1 Prince George. Eagles Head Coach and GM Scott Gomez pulled the goalie for an extra attacker with a little over one minute remaining in the game and down by two. After sustained zone pressure helped Surrey come close to drawing within one, a shot block down low allowed the Spruce Kings to clear the zone and pocket the empty netter, becoming one of five BCHL teams to pick up a win on opening night. 4-1 Prince George. Anderson earned the FortisBC Energy Player of the Game for Surrey as Eagles goalie Sharma finished the night 26/29.
The Surrey Eagles (0-1-0-0-0) will look for their first win of the season back at home on Sunday, September 22 at 3:00 p.m. for their afternoon tilt with the Cowichan Valley Capitals (0-1-0-0-0).