Hannoun Scores Lone Goal in 1-0 Win

Demico Hannoun scored the winning goal with 1:21 remaining in the third period as the Surrey Eagles snuck past the Alberni Valley Bulldogs 1-0 in Game 1 of the Coastal Conference Final. Michael Santaguida picked up his third shutout of the playoffs, making 29 saves in the victory.

The two teams traded chances in the first, but Santaguida and Jay Deo stood strong between the pipes at either end of the ice. Surrey’s best opportunity of the period came when Drew Best found Joel Gaudet in front of the goal with a pass from the left wing, but Gaudet’s shot hit the side of the net. Teal Burns nearly scored on Santaguida with a wraparound attempt, but the Eagle net minder got across to keep the puck out with his right pad.

The story of the second period was similar to that of the opening frame. Santaguida made 15 saves on 15 shots, and Deo stopped all 11 shots he faced. Both Trevor Cameron and Brett Mulcahy had good opportunities to open the scoring for Surrey while Manny Gialedakis and Mitch Crisanti came close to beating Santaguida at the other end.

The game looked destined for overtime as Deo and Santaguida kept up their phenomenal play in the third, but Hannoun finally broke the deadlock when he was sprung in on a breakaway and beat Deo cleanly with a hard wrist shot into the top right corner of the net. The Bulldogs pulled Deo in the late stages but couldn’t find an equalizer, despite some sustained pressure in the Surrey end.

Neither team scored with the man advantage as Surrey was 0-for-5 on the power play while Alberni Valley was 0-for-4. The Eagles out shot the Bulldogs 33-29.

Game 2 in the best-of-seven series goes on Saturday night at the South Surrey Arena. For tickets, call 604-531-GOAL (4625).

Pro4 Sports 3 Stars:
1. Michael Santaguida - Surrey
2. Demico Hannoun - Surrey
3. Jay Deo - Alberni Valley

My 3 Stars:
1. Michael Santaguida - Surrey
2. Jay Deo - Alberni Valley
3. Demico Hannoun - Surrey