The Squamish Bantam Eagles may have the loudest fans in minor hockey - but they're earning the accolades.
Amid clanging cowbells and noisy shouts, the team beat the Langley B1 team 4-0 Saturday (Oct. 23) at Brennan Park Arena.
The game was closer than the score shows, said Ron Sander, the Eagles' manager. "It was end to end."
The team has played a strong season winning three out of four games so far. The Eagles beat Coquitlam 6-0, Arbutus 8-2, and the Langley team on Saturday (Oct. 23).
The Eagles lost their first game of the season against NSWC 4-1.
Consistent winning means the team may move up to a higher tier in the league, Sander said.
"Getting a good enough record to move up is a challenge," he said. "It's our first challenge."
Strong goaltending helped the Eagles win on Saturday.
"Our goaltender played an excellent game," Sander said.
Sander said the line of Hunter Nelson, Keegan Moore and Konrad Sander played "an awesome game."I think Dustin Petroff put in a solid effort," Sander said.
The centre had been off for a month with a broken hand, and it was only his second game back.
Left winger Braeden Chapman scored the first goal of the game, followed by Konrad Sander in the first period.
"Konrad's goal was really deflating to the other team," Sander said.
There were only five seconds in the first period left on the clock when the puck went into the net.
In the second period defenceman Nathan Roberge scored his first goal of the season.
Kyle Marquette scored the final goal of the game on a breakaway with just over three minutes left in the game. The puck flew past Langley's goalie, who didn't get anywhere near it.
"They played a very well-disciplined game," said Bob Cunneyworth, the assistant coach for the Eagles, noting the team stayed out of some stick infractions by the Langley team.
The outlook for the Eagles' season is positive. The team has already won a tournament in Chase over the Thanksgiving weekend, and is looking to qualify for the provincials.
