Following four days off the Eagles play host the Chiefs who currently sit with a record of 9-8-1-2 good for 21 points while the Eagles are coming off a remarkable October managing a record of 9-8-1-1 for 20 points.
There is no question that the Eagles are hungry for a victory not only to move up in the standings, but also making this a milestone game for Domenic Masellis who plays in his 200th BCHL career game with his Family on hand as he was recognized in a pre-game ceremony in front of 913 fans.
The Chiefs have three players not dressed in the line-up with one Harrison Blaisdell playing at the U17 Championship.
Surrey has two roster changes that see’s Derrick Johnson and Caige Sterzer sitting being a game time decision by the Coaching staff.
Despite the change in the weather in the lower mainland this game proves to be fast, entertaining with lot’s of fast plays in both ends of the ice.
The top 20 in BCHL scoring see’s Will Calverley sitting 9th with 23 points while Eagles speedster John Wesley is on his heels sitting 9th with 22 points followed closely by linemate Desi Burgart in 17th with 19 points.
The Eagles top line has high expectations of moving up in the standing with a pair of weekend games on home ice, first with the Chiefs followed by a Sunday matinee as Merritt plays a visit coming from the Island for a pair of games.
The first saw the Chiefs take control in the shot department outshooting the Eagles by a close 10-7 margin, but the second would see this reversed as the Eagles outshoot the Chiefs by a 20-9 tally.
It’s fair to say that both teams were playing extremely tentative for not only the first, but most of the second with each having several chances to capitalize on taking the lead, but nearing the end of the second, it was the Eagles that would jump out first.
With Chiefs Slick sitting in the box for roughing the Eagles took advantage of a turnover that saw Norton deliver a tape to tape pass to Westgard on the left side.
He found extra room breaking to the top of the circle and delivered a pass to Burgart who ripped a howitzer over the shoulder of Chenard putting the Eagles up with 41 seconds.
The third saw the Eagles start where they left off Westgard winning the faceoff on the right side eight seconds in drawing the puck back allowing Burgart who in turn tipped puck to Wesley who wired one low on the glove side giving the Eagles a commanding 2-0 lead.
As explosive as we know the Eagles can be taking the Chiefs lightly can prove costly and in doing what they do best the Chiefs capitalized on at 1:36 getting the first of three forcing the Eagles to come from behind.
Following a timeout the Eagles pressed and with Westgard doing all the dirty work in the corner he slipped it back to Ross who in turn fed Stewart behind the net.
With many thinking that Stewart would take the puck behind the net, he pulled the Harry Houdini magician move and slipped it out front to a waiting Wesley who released a one-timer putting the puck past a shocked Chenard tying the game at three thereby forcing ing O/T.
As we have come to expect four on four hockey is exciting for the fans and with both teams trading chances in the O/T it was the Chiefs that managed to pull out a win.
The hard fought game was as exciting as you can get and for the Eagles supporters on hand tonight it’s almost like a weekly affair to watch some exceptional O/T hockey.
The game was a disciplined matchup with the Chiefs going 1-2 on the special teams, while the Eagles were 1-4 on special teams.
FORTISBC ENERGY PLAYER OF THE GAME
Jackson Ross (1 Assist)
Three Stars:
1st John Wesley (2 Goals)
2nd Anthony Vincent (2 Assists)
3rd Ty Westgard (2 Assists)
Join the Eagles Sunday November 5th at 4 pm as they host the Merritt Centennials for another exciting Surrey Eagles hockey game.
Remember
Sunday it’s FAMILY FUN SKATE WITH THE EAGLES FOLLOWING THE GAME!!
