Gameday: Eagles @ Warriors

Who: Surrey Eagles @ West Kelowna Warriors
When: December 6, 7:00 pm
Where: Royal Lepage Place

Pay-Per-View: FAST Hockey
Radio: Ustream

A challenging, two-game Okanagan swing begins Friday in West Kelowna as the Eagles continue a stretch of four straight games away from South Surrey Arena.

Surrey has had a week to ponder an home and home series against Coquitlam that brought back memories of the 1980s, as the two teams combined for 27 goals in two games, the most recent of which being a 9-6 Express triumph last Friday night.

Nobody in Eagles silks has been hotter of late than Jonah and Nathan Renouf. The twins have put up points in each of their last five games, combining for 11 points in the home-and-home set with Coquitlam. Overager Braedan Russell has been the beneficiary of their playmaking abilities, as he looks to ride the momentum of a hat-trick from Surrey's last outing into tonight's matchup.

Watch for Surrey to try to kickstart its offensive production from the back end tonight. Aside from rookie Matthew Dawson, no Eagle defenseman has more than 7 points this season. A shot in the arm for this young blueline could also prove to be inspirational in the defensive zone, as Surrey will look to tighten things up in front of Devon Fordyce and Bo Didur.

Last Meeting: The Warriors scored three times in the third period, twice through Tyson Dallman, to nip Surrey 5-3 at South Surrey Arena October 27th. The season-series is tied 1-1 after the Eagles posted a 3-0 shutout over West Kelowna at the Bauer Showcase in September.

Our Opponent: Despite being 5 games over .500, the Warriors find themselves on the outside of the playoff picture entering play Friday in the vise-tight Interior Conference. Not only that, the Warriors have the fourth fewest goals against (87) in the BCHL, but find themselves locked in a battle for positioning with Salmon Arm and Merritt, both of whom have two points more than the Warriors' 33. Imports Jason Cotton and Carl Hesler lead a potent top-six with 31 points each, while former Prince Albert netminder Andy Desautels has earned the lion's share of minutes in goal. The Warriors have made changes to their blueline recently including the acquisition of former Eagle Zane Schartz from Brooks of the AJHL. Schartz scored a goal and an assist in Surrey's 3-0 over West Kelowna on September 6th.

In the Press Box: Neither team has any listed injuries.