Gameday: Eagles vs. Rivermen

Who: Surrey Eagles vs. Langley Rivermen
When: January 19, 4:00 pm
Where: South Surrey Arena

TICKETS: surreyeagles.ca
Pay-Per-View: FAST Hockey
Radio: Ustream

After a disappointing loss Friday, the Eagles wrap up the weekend, and the season series against their divisional rivals from Langley this afternoon. Surrey were beaten on home ice 5-3 by the Trail Smoke Eaters two nights ago; after falling behind by three goals early in the second period the Eagles were unable to complete the comeback against the plucky Smokies.

Langley enters today's game as one of the form teams in the BCHL, with six straight victories. Conversely, the Eagles have dropped each of their last five contests and look to right the ship this afternoon.

The Eagles, though, are expected to welcome back playmaker Jonah Renouf today. The 19 year-old makes his return to the lineup after suffering an injury January 3rd against the Cowichan Valley Capitals, and will bring some firepower to the Eagles' top-six. Jonah, his twin brother Nathan and overager Braedan Russell had been showing some serious chemistry before the holiday break, no doubt head coach Peter Schaefer and his staff would like to see that energy and offensive prowess re-kindled.

Last Meeting: Langley took home a 5-1 decision January 4th at the Langley Events Centre and leads the season series 6-1. Today marks the first meeting between the two sides in Surrey since Remembrance Day.

Our Opponent: The Rivermen became the first team in the BCHL to clinch a playoff berth last weekend and come into today's game on the heels of a 3-2 overtime win over Trail last night. Langley currently sits six points up on second-place Prince George, and their +32 goal differential is good enough for fifth spot in the BCHL. Captain Mitch McLain leads the way offensively with 48 points but perhaps a bigger story in the season series has been the play of netminder Brock Crossthwaite, who comes into today's meeting with a 5-0 record against Surrey and a 17-7 win-loss tally overall.

In the Press Box: Surrey's Mitch Fyffe is questionable after missing the last three games. Langley have no listed injuries.