The Surrey Eagles come off a pair of devastating hard fought losses over the weekend, first to the Wenatchee Wild by a 5-2 margin only to be followed by a second loss the following night in West Kelowna to the Warriors by a 6-2 score.

Not the weekend they were looking for, giving the recent lack of productivity in the goal department of late and seem to be facing a “drought” when it comes to turning on the red light of late.

The afternoon match-up between the Chilliwack Chiefs in the Mainland Division and the team striving to climb out of the cellar had the makings of being a hard  fought contest on the day the Eagles were paying tribute Remembrance Day.

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The game started out with with a tribute read of Flanders Fields, followed by the Bagpipes playing to the tune of Amazing Grace, followed by a moment of silence, then having the Anthem sung by Mark Donnelly.

The humbling tribute was well received by everyone on hand and “thanks” were given to those who have served for us to have our freedom at the loss of life.

The afternoon matinee game would have the Eagles start Cayden Bailey between the pipes while  Mathieu Caron got the call for the Chiefs.

The game started off with a quick tempo, but quickly turned the focus to the Chiefs who seemed to have more fire-power and never let up until the final buzzer.

Despite the fact that the Eagles were hoping for a quick start, it soon turned ugly for them allowing the Chiefs Willits to notch the first goal of the game a short 23 seconds in only to have Bowen get the second of the game a minute and four seconds later.

As scrambly as the play was the Eagles managed to throw some fire power at the Chiefs, but what they threw wasn’t enough as the Chiefs jumped out to a 3-0 lead at the 3:58 mark of the opening period.

As if nothing was working, it seemed as tho Bailey pulled himself from the net quickly making his way to the hall beside the players bench being replaced by Kyle Dumba who would fair no better in his outing.

The match-up was clear – the Eagles were out matched from the opening and before long the Chiefs managed to grab two more stealing a 5-0 lead by the 13:01 mark of the opening period.

The Eagles did manage to get one on the board, from call-up Teddy Prior who was like a “workhorse” doing it all all with not much help, if any!

He managed to get the Eagles on the board on a breakaway going to his forehand, then reverting to his backhand sliding one past a shocked Caron at the 13:36 mark of the first.

For the Eagles that was all they could manage in the first with the Eagles “tenders” being overworked with both tenders facing 13 shots through 20 minutes, while Caron faced 12 many of which were not quality shots, but simply shots.

The Eagles started the second with more jump, but that was also short lived allowing the Chiefs Tesink to notch his first of the season taking a commanding 6-1 lead.

The Eagles threw all they had at the Chiefs, but this was a day known for disaster for the home squad that saw them dig themselves in a hole they were unable to climb out of.

With the score out of reach by a 7-1 margin Katzalay took a cross ice pass from both Clifton and Gray sliding one past Caron that saw them manage to get the second of the game.

Try as they might, this contest was all Chiefs adding another as the period was drawing to a close seeing the Eagles out shoot the Chiefs by a 11-5 margin, which one would think be a game changer, but not on this day.

The third was all Chiefs managing to get another pair also controlling the shots by a huge 18-3 tally making the final shot total 36-26 for the Chiefs in front of 583 fans, some cheering for the Chiefs.

The Eagles used both Bailey and Dumba in hopes of turning the game around, while the Chiefs went with Caron through the full 60 minutes of play in a game that took a short 2:15 to play.

While the game was a shock for many fans, there is a bright point for the Eagles and that was the play of A/P call-up Teddy Prior, who has aspiration of sticking with the “A” team.

Fortis BC Player of the Game

Teddy Prior (1G/0A)

Three Stars:

1st) Brett Willits (3G/0A)

2nd) Ethan Bowen (3G/0A)

3rd) Will Dow-Kenny (1G/0A)

The Eagles return to the ice for three games over the upcoming weekend having a home and home series against the Rivermen on Friday and Saturday, then move on for an afternoon match-up against the Express in Coquitlam at 3 pm Sunday.

Special “Thanks” to Mark Donnelly for singing the Anthem on the day the Eagles paid tribute and respect to Remembrance Day!!