Chalk up four more points for the streaking Surrey Eagles.
The BC Hockey League won twice more last week – 7-3 Tuesday over the Langley Rivermen and 4-2 Friday at home against the Coquitlam Express – to run their winning streak to four games; they won nine of 11 games in November.
However, Surrey has not made up much ground in the race for first place in the BCHL’s Mainland Division as the team the Eagles are chasing – the Chilliwack Chiefs – have been just as hot. The Chiefs also won twice on the weekend, and like Surrey, won nine of 11 games last month. They sit four points up on the Eagles for top spot in the division.
On Friday at South Surrey Arena, the Eagles relied heavily on goaltender Michael Santaguida, who stopped 43 of 45 Coquitlam shots to secure his 12th win of the season. The 19-year-old Ontario native was especially strong in the third period, when the Express peppered him with 18 shots, all of which he stopped.
Rookie defenceman Jordan Klimek had a goal and an assist in the win, while fellow blue-liner Devon Toews added two assists.
Demico Hannoun, on the power play, and Mason Blacklock also scored, as did Trevor Cameron.
Coquitlam’s two goals both came in the second period, from John Seimer – on the power play – and Philip Zielonka.
The four-goal outburst Friday was nothing compared to the goal-scoring bonanza at the Langley Events Centre the previous Tuesday, as the Eagles exploded for seven goals against the division-rival Rivermen, led by Brady Shaw, who had a hat trick and two assists.
Two of Shaw’s three markers came during a decisive second period, in which the Eagles – who trailed 2-1 after the opening 20 minutes – scored four times to take a commanding 5-2 lead.
Shaw’s third goals came late in the third, and Stefan Burzan scored in a power-play goal in the game’s final minute to extend the lead.
Craig Wyszomirski had a goal and two assists, while Drew Best had a four-point night with one goal and three helpers.
Nicolas Pierog rounded out the scoring for the visiting Eagles.