It's all tied up.
Wednesday night at the Langley Events Centre, the Surrey Eagles – who lost Game 1 of their best-of-seven BC Hockey League playoffs series to the Langley Rivermen Tuesday – exacted some revenge a day later, tying the series 1-1 after a 4-3 Game 2 victory.
The Eagles trailed at three different times in the game – once in each period – but goals from Chase McMurphy and Nathan Renouf less than two minutes apart in the third period propelled the team to the win.
The Rivermen struck first when Matt Utaski – who also scored in Game 1 – gave the home team a lead just four minutes into the game, but Eagles captain Danton Heinen – two days after being named the BCHL's rookie of the year – tied the game 10 minutes later on the power play.
In the second, the Rivermen got their second lead of the contest on a goal from Gage Torrell, but as was the case in the first period, the lead lasted but 10 minutes, as Jonah Renouf made it 2-2, with an assist going to Anthony Conti, who has three points in two playoffs games.
Utaski scored his third of the playoffs 46 seconds into the third period – with Evan Anderson and Mitch McLain picking up assists – before McMurphy and Nathan Renouf replied with two quick goals later in the period.
The third frame was the Eagles' best, as they peppered Langley netminder Brock Crossthwaite with 20 shots.
Surrey finished the game with 36 shots on net, while the Rivermen fired 31 at Eagles goalie Bo Didur.
With the series knotted at 1-1, home-ice advantage now shifts to the Eagles, as three of the final five games – should the series go the distance – will be played in South Surrey.
Game 3 is scheduled for Friday at South Surrey Arena, and Game 4 Saturday. Both begin at 7 p.m.