Tag Archives: BCHL

Sunday Quickies

A few things before this weekend officially draws to a close:

Canadian Tennis is on the Rise

Canadian tennis star Eugenie Bouchard helped earn a berth in the Federation Cup World Group II for 2014. Photo borrowed unceremoniously from the CBC.
Canadian tennis star Eugenie Bouchard helped earn a berth in the Federation Cup World Group II for 2014. Photo borrowed unceremoniously from the CBC.

Canada beat Ukraine 3-2 this weekend to qualify for World Group II play in 2014. Number 93-ranked Eugenie Bouchard and #125 Sharon Fichman both beat #71 Lesia Tsurenko for two of Canada’s wins, but #90 Ellna Svitolina was perfect for the weekend, earning both of Ukraine’s points. Canada won the deciding doubles match in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, to record the win. Bouchard, of course, made headlines last year when she won the junior women’s singles title at Wimbledon. Canada will compete with Sweden, Japan, Serbia, Argentina, France, Poland and the loser of Australia and Switzerland in the 2014 World Group II; four of those teams will play for the right to enter the top World Group in 2015. It’s a fabulous result for the Canadian women, and comes on the heels of the men’s team advancing to the Davis Cup final four with consecutive wins in Vancouver against Italy and Spain. (The Fed Cup structure is complicated to explain, but relatively easy on the eyes. Check out this link if you’d like more enlightenment in this area.)

More, including BCHL and AHL hockey, and MLS soccer, after the break.

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Surrey Eagles 3, Alberni Valley Bulldogs 2 (OT)

The Surrey Eagles kept home advantage in the BCHL Coastal Conference Finals on Saturday night, edging the Alberni Valley Bulldogs 3-2 in overtime. Like the opening game on Friday, game two featured plenty of chances and stellar goaltending at both ends of the ice.

Surrey Eagles forward Brady Shaw carries the puck as game one hero Demico Hannoun looks on. Shaw had a goal and an assist in a 3-2 overtime win. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Surrey Eagles forward Brady Shaw carries the puck as game one hero Demico Hannoun looks on. Shaw had a goal and an assist in a 3-2 overtime win. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

Nic Pierog tipped a point shot past Bulldogs goalie Jay Deo just a buck-eighteen into OT to send the series to Port Alberni with the Eagles up two games to nothing. The rest of the Eagles offence came from the usual suspects, as Brady Shaw and Adam Tambellini scored in regulation. Those two players sit atop the playoff scoring race with twelve points apiece.

More, including more pictures, after the jump.

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Surrey Eagles 1, Alberni Valley Bulldogs 0

Nearly 1,200 fans were treated to a dramatic opening game of the Coastal Conference Final on Friday night, as the Surrey Eagles edged the Alberni Valley Bulldogs 1-0 to keep home ice advantage in the best-of-seven series. Demico Hannoun scored on a breakaway, and Michael Santaguida earned his third shutout of the playoffs in game that was tightly contested in all areas of the ice.

What can I say, it was the play of the game! Demico Hannoun fires the winner past Port Alberni Bulldogs goaltender Jay Deo, giving the Surrey Eagles a 1-0 series lead in the Coastal Conference Finals. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Surrey Eagles forward Demico Hannoun fires the winning goal past Alberni Valley Bulldogs goaltender Jay Deo with just 81 seconds left in regulation in game one of the BCHL Coastal Conference Final. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

Brady Shaw and Michael Stenerson earned assists on Hannoun’s goal, which came with just 1:21 remaining in regulation time. Shaw was prominent in the Bulldogs zone all night long, but didn’t get the bounces until his pass found Hannoun all alone. It was the Eagles’ 33rd shot on Bulldogs goaltender Jay Deo, who was especially solid in the first period when the Eagles held a substantial edge in play.

More on the game, including additional pictures, after the break.

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