Gameday: Eagles vs. Chiefs

Who: Surrey Eagles vs. Chilliwack Chiefs
When: February 10, 2:00 pm
Where: South Surrey Arena

Pay-Per-View: FAST Hockey
Radio: Ustream

After a frustrating setback Saturday against Penticton, the Eagles look to get back in the win column this afternoon when they host Chilliwack in a Family Day matinee. Surrey outshot the Vees two nights ago, but were undone by a trio of power-play goals and a rock-solid goaltending performance from Hunter Miska in a 3-0 defeat.

Today, the Eagles shift their focus toward a more familiar rival, and one against whom they've enjoyed recent success. Surrey swept Chilliwack in a home-and-home series last weekend to clinch a playoff berth, outscoring the Chiefs 12-6 in the process.

Given the animosity between these two sides, it stands to reason the Eagles will get a chance to kick-start their power-play, which has struggled on home ice recently. Surrey holds the fifth-best power-play efficiency in the league, but has gone through a 1-for-23 slump at South Surrey Arena since mid-January.

Today marks the second-to-last Mainland division matchup of the regular season for the Eagles, who come into the game nine points back of the third-place Coquitlam Express. The Eagles will play four of their final six regular-season games against Island division opposition, including a tough three-game trip to wrap up the campaign two weekends from now.

Last Meeting: The Eagles took the last meeting between the two sides on February 1st, winning 7-4 in Chilliwack on the strength of an Austin Ferguson game-winner. The Chiefs lead the season series 4-3.

Our Opponent: Chilliwack will be on the outside of the BCHL playoff picture this season, a definite rarity in the Fraser Valley. But Harvey Smyl's club have been playing competitive hockey recently, as evidenced by their weekend Interior sweep in Trail and Salmon Arm. Leading goal-getter Mathieu Tibbet committed to Merrimack over the weekend as well, which stands as a deserving punctuation mark on a three-year Chiefs career. Spencer Tremblay was the goaltender of record the last time these two sides met, and also recorded both victories on the road this weekend, making 40 saves against the SilverBacks in his most recent outing Saturday.