The 18U AAA Victoria HA and Surrey Eagles HA delivered a thrilling, penalty-filled contest that saw Victoria emerge with a narrow 3-2 victory. The game was defined by physical play and special teams, with Surrey's Griffin Carmont opening the second period with a power-play goal to tie the game at 1-1. However, Victoria responded just 51 seconds later when Cole McNabb scored an even-strength marker, assisted by Yihwan Joo, to reclaim the lead. The turning point came midway through the second period when Wyatt Martel netted his second goal of the game—the eventual game-winner—with helpers from Mitch Collins and Anderson Lewis. Martel's first-period goal had initially put Victoria ahead, showcasing his clutch scoring ability in a tight matchup.
The game's intensity was reflected in the penalty minutes, with a total of 15 infractions called. The second period was particularly chaotic, featuring a major penalty and game misconduct to both Victoria's Mitch Collins and Surrey's Thayne Gibson for face mask violations after a heated altercation. Surrey's Griffin Carmont found himself in the box three separate times, while Victoria's Cole McNabb was whistled for three minor penalties. Despite being outshot 39-30, Victoria's defense and goaltending held firm when it mattered most. Mathias Ramos-Gadbois was a wall in net for Victoria, turning aside 37 of 39 shots to secure the win.
Surrey made a late push in the third period, with Matthew Bridal cutting the deficit to one goal with just under five minutes remaining, assisted by Jordan Czepak and Nate Hawley. The Eagles continued to press, but Victoria's defensive discipline and Ramos-Gadbois's steady presence in the crease preserved the narrow lead. Despite a strong 47-save performance from Surrey's Lynden Mercier, who faced a barrage of shots, his efforts weren't enough to overcome Victoria's opportunistic scoring. The victory was a testament to Victoria's ability to capitalize on key chances and withstand Surrey's persistent offensive pressure in a hard-fought battle between these two rivals.
14U AAA - HC Edmonton
14U AAA - Surrey Eagles HA
15U AAA - Bow Valley HC
15U AAA - Langley HA
