Early Season Blues

The Eagles traveled to the valley to take on the 2018 Royal Bank Cup Champions the Chilliwack Chiefs still looking for their first win of the early 2018-19 BCHL hockey season.

The first three games, two of which were at home and the most recent in Merritt have been all but nice for the Eagles being outscored by a 17-11 tally, but showing signs of more aggressive play given the talent and depth they have on the roster.

While some are saying the adjustment is in part due to the coaching change, you can put that to bed as the Eagles have turned the page and heading to the next chapter of the playbook.

Bench boss Peter Schaefer is no stranger to rinks and was drafted 66th overall in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft after a solid Junior career with the Brandon Wheat Kings for four seasons collecting 124 goals, 167 assists and 172 PIM’s in regular season play.

Guiding young players to the next level is what set him aside from others in today’s game it’s all about growth, development and teaching and who knows who the next superstar will be?

The match-up see’s two RBC Championship teams squaring off in hopes or repeating at season’s end, but that is a wait and see.

Surrey started with a jump at 1:27 of the opening period with Hayles sending a stretch pass to Westgard who delivered a tape to tape pass Linell who hammered home his third of the season giving the Eagles the early lead.

The Chiefs took an undisciplined minor for holding putting the Eagles on the PP allowing White dish one to Westgard to sent one cross ice to Linell at 13:17 giving the visitors the early  2-0 lead giving Westgard assist number 5 on the season.

The first ended with the Eagles up by a 2-0 tally and both clubs having chance after chance only to be turned aside by “tenders” Mathew Caron (Chiefs) and Eagles new tender Cayden Bailey.

Tentative as the game was it was the Chiefs who collected their first of the game from Bowen at 8:23 followed by the second at the 14:00 minute mark on the PP from Wall.

Both teams had chances, but the Eagles were unable to penetrate the strong play of Caron sending the teams to the dressing room tied after two.

Despite the game being tied at two the second proved to be somewhat of a “chippy” affair forcing the officials to “make the call” so as not to have the game escalate in nature.

As the third started it was either the rain or the tempo of the game and you could sense that the the tempo would increase as well as the physical style of play.

No sooner than talk about it during the broadcast the 2:29 mark of the period saw Eagles Brayden Shaw and Chiefs Clark Nelson tangled in front of the penalty box exchanging blows.

Once it was over and done both were assessed Majors for Fighting plus the Automatic Game Misconduct penalty.

The discussion in the press box was why Nelson received the additional minor and double checking with my “special” sources, it was due to having no chin strap on the helmet which is an  automatic call, that many often miss.

Despite the Eagles PP it was Chiefs Donhauser who notched his second of the season at 9:55 in the third bringing the crowd to life giving the Chiefs the first lead of the game.

Eagles Bailey played stellar forcing him to make several spectacular stops keeping the Eagles in the game, but a short 2:08 later it was Holmes  who gave the Chiefs a comfortable two goal lead.

Surrey pressed and forced several turnovers in both the attacking and neutral zone, but all were in vain only to be turned aside by Chiefs Caron.

For those watching it was prevalent that both teams need work on the special teas as Surrey went 1-6 on the PP, while the Chiefs were 1-5

Surrey skated away dropping their fourth game of the season and while some might question the lack of productivity, the talent level is there.

Chemistry plays a key role in today’s game both on and off the ice for all teams and watching this from the press box, I clearly see the talent, dedication and desire shown by this group of young players.

The Eagles return back to basics during practice and return to the ice for the ever popular BCHL Bauer Showcase September 20-22nd held at Prospera Center in Chilliwack.

Stop by and chat with new BCHL Commissioner Chris Hebb, who welcomes any and all questions in his first BCHL showcase!!

FortisBC Energy Player of the Game

Chase Nameth (Chilliwack Chiefs)

Three Stars:

1st Mathieu Caron    (31SA/29SV)

2nd Kevin Wall    (1 Goal/1 Assist)

3rd Eric Linell    (2 Goals)