The Express got off to a quick start to the game, opening up an early shot advantage. Veteran forward, Justin Georgeson, provided an early chance with a one timer from the slot that caught the inside of the post and ricochetted out of danger.
As the period went along, the play began to swing in Surrey's favour. Demico Hannoun opened the scoring on the Eagle's first powerplay opportunity. Team Canada West defencemen, Devon Toews made a great cross ice pass that Hannoun blasted past Cole Huggins.
33 seconds later the Eagles struck again as Mason Blacklock was able to find a loose puck and slide it through the legs of Huggins.
Both goaltenders came up with some spectacular saves late in the first period. Cole Huggins turned aside Trevor Cameron with just over a minute remaining, then Santaguida stoned John Siemer on a bang bang play in front of the net.
John Siemer got the Express on the board with an early second period tally. With former Express forward, Brady Shaw, in the box, he carried the puck into the Eagles end then made a nifty move before snaping a quick shot past Santaguida to get Coquitlam on the board.
Surrey once again re-stored their two goal lead as Nicolas Pierog claimed Express zone along the boards and fired a pass to Trevor Cameron who re-directed it past Huggins.
It didn't take long for the Express to get back within a goal. This time, Siemer was the playmaker, using his speed to try and split the Eagles defence and get the puck to the net. He was stopped by Santaguida, but Phil Zielonka was there to bury the rebound.
In the dying minutes of the period the Express penalty killers clutched up to keep the Express in the game. They weathered a 5 on 3 disadvantage, holding the deficit at one entering the third period.
The third period saw the Express start a period strong again. They had established a good cycle game and were winning faceoffs in the Eagles zone. Chance after chance, Santaguida turned the opportunities aside, keeping the Eagles on top.
Shortly thereafter the momentum swung again back in the Eagles favour. Jordan Klimek carried the puck into the Express zone, bounced off a hip check, and snapped a wrist shot to the stick side past Huggins. The Santaguida and the Eagles would maintain the 2 goal lead the rest of the way.
Notes
The struggles against division rivals continue for the Express, as they fall to 2-9-1-0 against the Mainland Division this season.. They have a an 11-3-0-0 record against the Island and Interior Divisions.
So far this season, the first goal has been a predictable indicator of a game's outcome. Including Friday's game, the Express are now 1-11-1-0 when allowing the first goal and 12-1-0-0 when scoring first.
The Express get an Interior Division opponent Saturday when the Trail Smoke Eaters come to town on Teddy Bear Toss Night.
