Game Preview: Vees at Surrey Eagles (Game Five)
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Game Time: 7:30 pm PST
Location: South Surrey Arena
Radio: Bounce 800 AM
Webcast: Flo Hockey
| Season Series | Fred Page Cup Final |
| Jan. 27, Surrey 1 at Penticton 4 | GM 1: May 17, Penticton 0 at Surrey 6 |
| GM 2: May 18, Penticton 3 at Surrey 1 | |
| GM 3: May 21, Surrey 1 at Penticton 3 | |
| GM 4: May 22, Surrey 3 Penticton 2 | |
| GM 5: May 24, Penticton at Surrey, 7:30 pm | |
| GM 6: May 26, Surrey at Penticton, 5:00 pm | |
| GM 7: May 28, Penticton at Surrey, 7:15 pm* | |
| *If necessary |
Penticton Vees
President, GM & Head Coach: Fred Harbinson
Regular Season Record: GP 54 38-10-3-3, 1st Interior Conference
Playoff Record: 14-6
Last Game: 3-2 Loss vs. Surrey (May 22)
Home: 8-3
Away: 6-3
GF: 52
GA: 35
Power Play: (7/39) 17.9%
Penalty Kill: (5/32) 84.4%
Scoring Leader: Callum Arnott (8-9-17)
The Vees look to bounce back from Wednesday’s Game Four loss and grab a 3-2 series lead, tonight in Game Five of the Fred Page Cup Final versus the Surrey Eagles.
Penticton is looking for a better start than they had Wednesday, where they gave up three goals on 16 shots in the first period, as they trailed 3-0 after 20 minutes. Wednesday’s first period arguably was their worst period of the playoffs. However, they managed to claw their way back into the game, as they played much better over the final 40 minutes. The Vees scored twice in the last two periods and outshot the Eagles 24-12 but ultimately fell short.
Speaking of starts, the Vees have scored first in only nine of their 20 playoff games and have been outscored 12-10 in the first periods. They are a great finishing team, as they have a BCHL-best 27 third period goals in the postseason and are plus 19 in goal differential in the third. They need to find a way to have a third period mentality right from the start of Game Five.
The Vees have been good on the road, as they’ve won six of nine games away from the SOEC in the postseason. If Penticton is going to win this series, they are going to have to win one more game in Surrey. The blueprint is there from their Game Two win last Saturday. Can the Vees do it again?
James Fisher has had a solid Fred Page Cup Final. The Columbus Blue Jackets prospect has four points (1G, 3A) in four games against the Eagles. Fisher has points in three-straight games. He scored the game-winner in Game Two in Surrey.
Penticton is going with 12 forwards and seven defencemen for the third-straight game. Goaltender Andrew Ness made his second relief appearance of the series in Wednesday’s loss and stopped all 12 shots he faced. Ness is Game Five’s projected starter. This is his first start since May 2nd, against Salmon Arm.
It’s been a race to three. The team that has got to three goals first has won every game in this series. Scoring three is huge for the Vees, as they are averaging the least number of goals against per game (1.75) and shots (22.75). Their defence has been excellent. Their offence needs to find a way to give themselves some breathing room.
Surrey Eagles
GM & Head Coach: Cam Keith
Regular Season Record: GP 54 44-8-0-2, 1st Coastal Conference
Playoff Record: 13-8
Last Game: 3-2 win at Penticton (May 22)
Home: 9-3
Away: 5-5
GF: 72
GA: 50
Power Play: (13/64) 20.3%
Penalty Kill: (15/46) 67.4%
Scoring Leader: Micah Burger (11-13-24)
Surrey got the split they were looking for in Penticton and now have taken back home ice advantage. The Eagles arguably played their best period of the series in Game Four, as they scored three times in four minutes, including twice in just 34 seconds. That 3-0 lead was enough to hang on for a 3-2 win and the split, going back home for Game Five.
Prior to Game Four, we touched on how Aaron Schwartz and Caden Cranston had just two points between them through three games. They needed to be a factor if the Eagles were going to tie the series and they were. Schwartz scored their first goal in Game Four and Cranston picked up an assist.
Micah Berger has been a huge factor for the Eagles. The 19-year-old forward leads his team in playoff scoring with 24 points. He has three goals and four points so far in this series. Berger, Cranston, and Schwartz are a triple threat for Surrey.
Evan Brown and Zachary Wagnon have also been significant contributors for the Eagles in this series. Each has a goal and three points through four games.
Surrey has been excellent at home in the playoffs, winning nine of 12 games. They’ve only lost once in regulation, as their two other home losses came in overtime.