The North Island Eagles midgets went without a tournament or exhibition hockey game during the recent holiday break. The extended inactivity showed as they suffered losses last weekend to Juan de Fuca T2 and Nanaimo on a road trip to kick off 2015.
The Eagles (6-4-1 Division 3) slipped to third place in the league after identical 4-2 losses both days. Juan de Fuca and Nanaimo hold the top two spots with one league game remaining.
Brandon Purdey and Tyren Dustin scored second-period goals Saturday as the Eagles closed within 3-2 at Juan de Fuca. At Nanaimo Sunday, Nick Klein-Beekman and Cameron Grant scored for the midgets.
The Eagles are back on the road this weekend to close out the regular season Saturday against Kerry Park.
The Tier 3 playoffs are tentatively scheduled to begin the weekend of Jan. 31-Feb. 1.