The Surrey Eagles picked up a win and a loss over the weekend, and are still soaring in the British Columbia Hockey League standings, on trend with their trajectory all season.
With 54 points, the South Surrey-based hockey squad leads the Coastal Conference by more than 10 points, with the Nanaimo Clippers and Alberni Valley Bulldogs – tied at 42 points apiece – in second and third place in the conference.
The Penticton Vees, who won the Fred Page Cup in 2023 as well as 2022, still lead the Interior Conference with the same total as the Eagles, 54 points, closely followed by the West Kelowna Warriors (52 points) and the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in third with 50 points.
With a 5-3 win over the Langley Rivermen on Friday (Jan. 26), the Eagles started their weekend off strong, in a game that featured a stellar performance from goalie Jaiden Sharma, who was named second star of the game.
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First start went to forward Caden Cranston, who scored an empty-netter at George Preston Arena to help secure the win, as well as two assists.
After travelling to the South Okanagan Events Centre for a 6 p.m. puck drop the next night, the Eagles lost 4-1 to the rival Vees on Saturday (Jan. 27), despite out-shooting them 32-22.
In order to make it to Penticton for their game on Saturday, the team had to leave the Lower Mainland by 10 a.m. Fortunately for the team, the roads were merely wet on their way there, but freezing conditions on the way back made the journey home a little more challenging.
“It froze coming back, so it took us a lot longer getting back,” head coach Cam Keith said Monday (Jan. 29).
Such a quick turnaround between games – with travel – takes its toll, he noted.
“Especially for a team like us that’s not used to it – our travel is 20 minutes to Langley, 25 to Coquitlam, 45 minutes to Chilliwack – if we’re going to play on the Island, we go there before and we get a hotel… there’s not a lot of driving,” Keith said, but added its something he knows the Interior teams are used to, as they have further to travel for games.
Long bus rides are a part of college hockey as well, so it’s something players will likely, have to get used to, Keith said.
Despite losing to the Vees, the Eagles are in an excellent position in the BCHL standings, and with 33 games played of the 54-game season, they’ve still got plenty of regular-season play left to tackle.
“We’re still in a good spot – our goal is to try to get home ice, at least for our conference – it’s very advantageous… especially for us because of the Olympic ice it’s such an advantage for us to have more games at home,” Keith said, referring to the Olympic-sized ice in South Surrey that the Eagles are familiar with.
“There’s a lot of games in March on the road and the island for us… it’s a lot more of a condensed schedule, so it’s going to get really busy,” Keith said.
“We want to just try to be as healthy as possible going into the playoffs.”
The goal hasn’t changed: the team has their sights set on winning the league championship, the Fred Page Cup.
“That’s our main focus, and I think the kids are excited about it.”
Next up are two home games for the Eagles at The Nest (South Surrey Arena, 2199 148 St.), starting Friday (Feb. 2) with a 7 p.m. start, featuring a focus on parahockey and the accessibility of hockey for disabled athletes.
On Sunday – the Eagles’ Lunar New Year night – former Vancouver Canuck and local legend Trevor Linden will do a ceremonial puck drop, and there will be a traditional Chinese drummer performance before the game as well.
Visit surreyeagles.ca for tickets or details.