A three-point performance from Michael Stenerson helped salvage what would have been a winless Thanksgiving weekend for the Surrey Eagles.
Stenerson, a Semiahmoo Minor Hockey alum, scored twice and added an assist to lead his hometown Eagles to a 5-1 win over the visiting Merritt Centennials Sunday afternoon at South Surrey Arena.
The win salvaged a split for the Eagles, who lost 4-1 Friday at home to the Prince George Spruce Kings, despite a 35-save performance from rookie goaltender Glenn Ferguson.
Through the first five weekends of the BC Hockey League’s regular season, Surrey sits with a 5-4-0-1 record, which, while still above. 500, is tied for last in the tight five-team Mainland Division; Coquitlam sits first with two more points.
Against Prince George Friday, the visitors never trailed in the game, going up 1-0 when Liam Board scored in the final minute of the first period. In the second, Jake LeBrun made it 2-0, and Spruce Kings’ Bryant Christian and Tyson Witala – on the power play – rounded out the scoring in the third.
The Eagles’ lone goal came off the stick of defenceman Devon Toews, who scored on a the power-play near the end of the second period. Demico Hannoun and Trevor Cameron – the latter fresh off a three-game suspension for participating in a staged fight Sept. 21 against Victoria – picked up assists on Toews’ marker, which was his third of the year.
The Eagles’ fortunes turned around Sunday afternoon against Merritt, however, thanks in large part to a four-goal second period.
After Stefan Burzan gave the home team a 1-0 lead with less than four minutes remaining in the first frame, Cameron and Stenerson alternated goals, scoring twice each, including once apiece on the power play.
The offensive outburst chased Merritt’s starting netminder Tyler Steel from the crease after allowing four goals on 22 shots; he was replaced by Russell Sanderson, who stopped seven of eight the rest of the way.
Merritt’s only goal came three minutes into the third period when Dylan Chanter added a power-play goal to make it 5-1 Eagles.
In addition to the Stenerson’s three-point performance and Cameron’s two goals, Brett Mulcahy and Drew Best each had two assists for Surrey.
Michael Santaguida earned the win between the pipes, stopping 34 of 35 shots on goal.
After earning splits in each weekend so far this season, the Eagles are assured of not repeating the feat this week, as they have just one game on the schedule. On Saturday, Surrey travels to Prince George for a return engagement with the Spruce Kings.
