For two periods, it looked as though the Surrey Eagles could earn their fourth win of the young BC Hockey League season this past weekend and perhaps climb out of the basement in the Mainland Division standings.
But the Eagles surrendered two goals in a five-minute span in the third period Friday night, and lost 4-3 on the road to the Coquitlam Express in their lone game of the weekend.
The Eagles remain in last place in the Mainland Division with a 3-9-0-0 (win-loss-tied-overtime loss) record, one point back of the 3-10-0-1 Prince George Spruce Kings, and nine points out of a playoff position.
Surrey carried the play throughout Friday’s game, played at the Poirier Sports and Leisure Centre, and didn’t trail until the Express broke a 2-2 tie with their quick strike late in the game.
Their most dominant period was the first, a session in which the visiting Eagles out shot the home side 15-6 only to go into the first intermission in a scoreless tie.
The Eagles scored twice in the second period. Darren Hards netted the first two and one-half minutes in, but Coquitlam tied the score less than three minutes later.
Just 45 seconds after the Express pulled even, the Eagles went up 2-1 on Nathan Deyell’s first goal of the season.
Luca Leone of the Express tied the game once more, scoring on the powerplay just shy of the nine-minute mark.
Surrey had a slight edge in play in the third period, but it was the home side taking a 4-2 lead just past the midway point. Kyle Star scored with three minutes to go to give the Eagles some hope, but time ran out with Surrey one goal down.
The Eagles outshot their hosts 38-26, but went zero-for-four on the powerplay, while the Express scored on their only man-advantage opportunity.
The Eagles play four times this week. Surrey played last night (Tuesday) at home against the Langley Rivermen, and are at the South Surrey Arena again Friday for a 7 p.m. contest with the Chilliwack Chiefs.
They are on the road in Washington Saturday and Sunday for two games with the first-year Wenatchee Wild.
The Wild lead the Mainland Division standings with an 8-3-1-1 record.
