The Bulldogs and Eagles opened the Coastal Conference Final Friday night in Surrey. Each team would have their chances throughout the first period but there would be no scoring. The best chance might have went to the Dogs as Josiah Friesen put a loose puck off the crossbar from the slot. Despite the quick turn around and the International sized ice surface the Dogs didn’t appear to take long adjusting, with the shots favouring the Eagles 10-8.
The second period would play out the same as the first, with each team having their chances, but neither team able to find the net as the goalies continued to hold the fort. It was by no means wide open, fire wagon hockey, but it was still entertaining to watch as the score remained 0-0 after 40 minutes with the shots favouring the Eagles 25-19.
The scoreless trend would continue through the third period, with neither team able to find the net through several power play opportunities. The Bulldogs would have a glorious chance to get on the board at the midway mark of the frame when the Eagles picked up back-to-back penalties in a matter of seconds. With a 4 on 3 and then 5 on 3 power play forthcoming the Bulldogs Coaching Staff would call time out to talk strategy and rest the troops but the move didn’t pay off as the Dogs couldn’t capitalize. The Eagles would get a power play chance with five minutes to go and the game still tied 0-0 but the Dogs penalty killers and Jay Deo held the fort. With overtime looming the Eagles would find the winner when Demico Hannoun was sent in alone on a breakaway by Michael Stenerson where he outraced the Dogs defence and went top corner, glove side on Jay Deo to make it 1-0. Brady Shaw also picked up an assist on the goal with 1:21 to go in the third. The Bulldogs would show a newfound urgency through the rest of regulation and threw a bunch of pucks at the Eagles net but they couldn’t beat Michael Santaguida as the Eagles held on and the Dogs suffered their first shut out of the post season.
Final shots favoured the Eagles 33-29 with Jay Deo earning 3rd star honours with the loss while Santaguida picked up the win and 1st star honours. The Dogs went 0 for 4 on the power play while the Eagles went 0 for 5.
