In a game defined by physical play and special teams, the Island HC 14U AAA squad escaped with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Surrey Eagles. The game got off to a chippy start, with four penalties called in the first period alone. Island HC struck first at even strength when Liam McNaughton buried a goal, assisted by Wade Sangara and Maverik Gornall. Surrey answered back on the power play late in the period, as Nyxton Sunner found the net with helpers from Daniel Culbert and Xander McQueen. The period was marred by a 2+10 minute illegal check to the head penalty against Island’s Austin Coutu, setting a physical tone for the remainder of the contest.
The second period saw the game’s intensity boil over. Surrey’s Kayden Sran was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for an illegal check to the head, a penalty served by Austin Aulak. Shortly after, Surrey’s Xander McQueen was handed a five-minute boarding major, served by Travis Dressler. Despite the parade to the penalty box, Surrey managed to take the lead on another power play, with Brayden Bains scoring off assists from Cristian Phillips and Nyxton Sunner. The Eagles carried a 2-1 lead into the final frame, but had to kill off significant penalty time to do so.
The third period belonged to Island HC’s resilience. Despite being outshot 24-7 in the final frame, they capitalized on a key even-strength opportunity. Wade Sangara, who had an assist on the first goal, scored the game-winner midway through the period, with Liam McNaughton returning the favor with an assist. Surrey Eagles poured on the pressure, firing 24 shots at Island netminder Eston Clement, but Clement was perfect in the third, closing the door to preserve the 3-2 victory. The win was a testament to Island HC’s opportunistic scoring and Clement’s steady presence in net, while Surrey’s penalty trouble ultimately proved too much to overcome despite a valiant third-period push.
14U AAA - HC Edmonton
14U AAA - Surrey Eagles HA
15U AAA - Bow Valley HC
15U AAA - Langley HA
