Most say that winning two out of three isn’t all that bad, but when you have three games in three nights, winning is motivation.
Such was the case with the Eagles when they were coming off a two game sweep of the Express outscoring them 9-5 in both games with Westgard getting points in both keeping his streak alive.
Chilliwack on the other hand would be a different story and streaks or not realistically speaking Ty Westgard had other thoughts on his mind this night.
The Chiefs decided to go with Mathieu Caron between the pipes, while Surrey chose to again alternate “tenders” and put Nic Tallarico in the blue paint.
With only three points separating both clubs the only thing that mattered with the Eagles was moving up in the standings in hopes of catching both Prince George and Chilliwack, but the Chiefs had other thoughts.
The Eagles jump started from the opening face-off and never let up and it wasn’t until 8:57 of the opening period that Sundquist notched his second of the season with Schiavon and Robert getting helpers.
Babichuk started the rush breaking out on the right side sending a precision pass to White who fed Sundquist who split the “D” hammering one over the right shoulder giving the Eagles the start they were looking for.
I for one am expecting changes on this goal, but only with the assist’s and no doubt White and Babichuk would appreciate it as well.
The first ended with the Eagles outshooting Chilliwack by a 9-7 margin, but we all know how explosive the Chiefs can be and the second would be a different style of game.
Chiefs speedster Skyler Brind’Amour got the tying goal and his 8th of the season at 2:13 tying the game forcing the Eagles to rely on speed and precision passing from this point on.
Masellis fed a breaking Dumas on the right side who entered the zone deep to the hash-marks who in return fed Norton who dangled in from the point sending a low shot at the net.
With traffic in the front of the crease it was Jesse Nelson who notched his first marker of the season with a tip-in giving the Eagles a 2-1 lead at 17:23 which they carried to the dressing room after two with both teams trading 10 shots.
Chiefs Tommy Lee got the Chiefs even at the 4:16 mark of the third making the game far more entertaining for the 840 fans taking in the game.
Surrey let the Chiefs maintain the tie when they took advantage of a broken play at the blue line with the Chiefs having a shot blocked only to be jumped on by the Eagles.
The Eagles jumped on a loose puck in front of the net that the Chiefs directed at Tallarico allowed Robert to send a stretch pass on the right side to Sterzer who broke across the blueline seeing an open Brushett on the left side delivered a precision tape to tape pass.
Brushett as we have seen in the past dangled to the middle cutting around one defender sending a low shot to the left of Caron putting the Eagles up by a 3-2 tally.
With momentum in their favour Surrey notched another 3:21 after the third goal jumping out to a 4-2 lead at 11:52.
With Sundquist on the right side of the net he was on the receiving end of a high cross check to the head area staying down for a period of time.
This never deterred the strong forecheck of the Eagles as Babichuk jumped on a clearing puck managing to keep it on side at the blue line.
In having the puck sense to “look around” he threw a tape to tape pass to the left side to Jackson Ross, with Dad (Greg) on hand watching saw him throw it on net and with traffic in front of a screened Caron the puck slid under him giving the Eagles the comfort lead they were looking for.
With time working against them and having already used their timeout in the first period the Chiefs threw everything at Tallarico.
The Chiefs pulled Caron with 2:05 remaining in hopes of getting the added marker they needed, but it was like too little too late.
With a face-off in the neutral zone in front of the Eagles bench the Chiefs replaced their “tender”, but not Caron.
Using a game plan probably drawn up before they took the time and liberty to put Chenard in net, but needed additional time to get his gear which was close to the net.
He eventually made his way in the blue paint, but not before this scene was played out again, but it was too little too late for the Chiefs on this night.
The Eagles and Tallarico get the victory and Westgard was kept off the board, but that is the least of anyone’s worries on this night.
This game could have been a BCHL Game of the Week and clearly is a draw when the Eagles face-off against the Chiefs again this coming Friday night (November 17th) at the home of the Eagles in South Surrey.
Both “tenders” played exceptional and it was clearly a battle, but it was Tallarico that outplayed his counterpart at the other end.
Tallarico faced 33 shots stopping 30, while Caron faced 24 stopping 20 on the losing end of the scoresheet.
FORTISBC PLAYER OF THE GAME
Owen Norton (1 Assist)
Game Stars;
1st Nic Tallarico
2nd Ryan Brushett ( Assist)
3rd Tommy Lee ( 1 Goal/1 Assist)
The Eagles next game sees them travel to Penticton for a meeting with the Vee’s Wednesday, November 15th and the next home game is November 17th when the Chiefs return to the “Nest”.
