Some players had Family members in town for the Family Day weekend, but it didn’t allow the
Eagles to conjure any points in the standings, which was what the parents were looking for.
Let’s not forget that the Eagles have been sporting a line-up that is and has been depleted with
injuries the past while and hopes are they will be returning either prior to or early in the playoffs.
Travel to Chilliwack Friday saw the team drop a heartbreaker in the dying minutes of the game
letting the Chiefs pull away with two points, something they were hoping of stealing.
The Eagles hit the ice for a match-up against the Rivermen less than 24 hours later on home ice
with expectations of rebounding from the previous night – again only to see a disappointing loss.
Two down and one to go on holiday Monday or Family Day as it is known with the Eagles
hosting the Chiefs in an after match-up a short in under 72 hours from Friday’s game.
This game would be unique as the Eagles would be wearing Retro or “ThrowBack Jerseys”
which were the ones they wore when they played at the Royal Bank Cup.
The final matchup of the regular season against the Chiefs would see the Eagles start Daniel
Davidson, while the Chiefs were playing mind games making it a “game time decision”, which
eventually would see Mathieu Caron in the blue paint.
Prior to the game Greg hooked-up with Mathew Campese who mentioned “I think if we play
with a little more energy things will change and let’s remember that we are on a slide right now
and we have more than enough talent in the room so we’ll get over it.”
The Eagles got the jump they needed hammering shot after shot at Caron only to be denied that
would see the Chiefs manage to take jump to a 2-0 lead after one and outshooting the Eagles by a
12-6 tally.
Both Greg and I could sense the frustration level from the team, but had high expectations of
seeing them turn it around, but it wouldn’t be until early in the third.
Despite the fact that they were throwing shots at the net, the Chiefs were blocking any and all
shots keeping them in the lead – shot wise after two.
The third started the way the Eagles were expectating with Norton feeding a speeding Stewart
from inside his blue line breaking down the wing cutting to the left forcing Caron to make the
stop only to have the puck careem out to Wesley who slipped his 35th of the season past an
unexpected Caron 23 second in pulling the Eagles within one.
The seesaw battle continued with both tenders making exceptional saves many of which were
labeled only to be denied by Eagles Davidson and Chiefs Caron.
The Chiefs threw everything but the kitchen sink at Davidson but it was the save at the 12:02
mark only to be denied by Davidson who threw himself to the right side of the crease pulling off
what could be called the “save of the game” keeping the Eagles within one.
With time against the Eagles they continued to press with Norton sending a 75 foot pass to White
who in turn fed Stewart who cut to the left and pounded one low to the glove side beating Caron
collecting his 15th of the season tying the game eventually forcing O/T.
Forcing O/T was exciting for the over 825 on hand clearly being entertained by future possible
NHLers.
The extra frame saw the Chiefs control the play outshooting the Eagles by a 4-1 margin and it
wasn’t until the 4:10 mark of the first O/T period that saw Bowen beat Davidson with a tip in
from the front of the crease pulling out the win.
Despite dropping the game the Eagles sit in a three-way tie for second with Langley and
Chilliwack.
All three sit with 56 points with the Eagles having played 53 games while both Langley and
Chilliwack have 52.
The Eagles get the chance to rest and hopefully get returning players to the roster with the Friday
night tilt as they host Prince George with the face-off set for 7 pm at the Eagles “Nest”.
FORTIS BC ENERGY PLAYER OF THE GAME
Desi Burgart
THREE STARS:
1st Will Calverley (1 Assist)
2nd Jeff Stewart ( 1 Goal/1 Assist)
3rd Mathieu Caron (25 SA/23 SV)
Clearly if there could be an additional game star it would have to be Daniel Davidson for his
constant and stellar play through 60 plus minutes.
Join the Eagles for the final two regular season home games Friday 16th against PG and Sunday
against Penticton for a 4 pm face-off.
This will be the final “skate with the Eagles” as they head into the playoffs.
