Game Story

Surrey Eagles vs Nanaimo Clippers Pre Game Report

by Ryan Ho

Time To Battle Back

Nanaimo, BC – After a tough game last night against the Powell River Kings, the Surrey Eagles (11-16-2-3) will look to get back to their winning ways tonight against the top team in the Island division, the Nanaimo Clippers (22-8-1-1).  It’s the Clippers teddy bear toss night, and the Eagles will look to rise to the occasion after failing to live up to the motto as the grinches last night, with Powell River scoring the first goal, and then 4 unanswered to win 5-1. The only other time these 2 teams met was at the B.C Hockey League showcase in early October, with the Clippers winning 6-2 in Chilliwack.

Tommy Scarfone will get the start tonight after receiving last night off, and he’ll look to continue his incredibly hot play of late. As for the lineup, you’ll have to check our social media channels for the full roster later today.

Who To Watch Out For

The boys know they’re in for a tough game against one of the best teams in the BCHL this season. However, for fans wondering how the Eagles will fare, Surrey has played much better against the top teams in their own rinks for a majority of the season. The Clippers are missing 2 key pieces for this game tonight, but look for their new acquisition to make his mark, while the Eagles will look to their goaltender to carry the load. Here are tonight’s players to watch.

Surrey Eagles: Tommy Scarfone

A contender for the Eagles most valuable player through the first half of the season, Scarfone has risen up to become the starter and has ran with the job. Scarfone’s was outstanding in November,  going 5-1-2-2. He’ll look to continue his blazing hot play and help the Eagles steal some points out of Nanaimo.

Nanaimo Clippers: Josh Kagan

A name the Eagles have seen twice on 2 different teams this season, Kagan is playing for his 3rd team of this year’s BCHL season after being acquired by the Clippers yesterday. The last time the Eagles saw Josh, he put up a hat-trick versus them in the Merritt Centenialls 5-3 win over the Eagles during Surrey’s 6 game homestead. Josh’s scoring ability is obvious, and shutting him down will be a huge key for the Eagles tonight.

3 Keys To The Game

After a rough showing in Powell River, it can be a blessing having to play the very next night on a road trip. The Eagles get to flush everything out, leave town, and move on to the next game. The Clippers are a tougher test, but if the Eagles can stay within their game they’ll have success. Here are tonight’s 3 keys to the game.

  • Don’t let Nanaimo dictate the game: The Eagles are going up against another incredibly physical team tonight in Nanaimo. The Clippers will look to use their size to impose their will and dictate the pace of play. The Eagles are going to have to stand up to them, and stick to their game if they want to be successful.
  • Scarfone: He’s been playing so well that he’s becoming one of the keys to a game like this. The Eagles will need their starter to be good tonight, and the boys will have to do a better job of limiting 2nd and 3rd chance opportunities. If they can do their job and clear the crease, expect Scarfone to stand tall and give the Eagles a chance to win.
  • Secondary scoring: Cam Keith mentioned it in the post game last night, the Eagles need to get scoring from everyone. From the top line to the fourth line, if the Eagles can’t get a consistent effort from everyone on their roster they won’t have success. Look for the secondary scoring to be a factor if the Eagles come out on top.

Summary

The Eagles will look to spoil the Clippers teddy bear toss at home, but it’s not going to be an easy task. The boys will need to stand up to Nanaimo’s physicality, allow Scarfone to play his game, and get scoring from everywhere on their lineup if they want to take down the top team in the BCHL’s Island division. However, the boys have a couple of huge road wins on their resume already this season, so look for an exciting Saturday night game from the Frank Crane Arena tonight.

You can catch the live broadcast on HockeyTV and Mixlr. The broadcast will start at 6:50pm, with the opening puck drop slated for 7:00pm from Frank Crane Arena in Nanaimo, BC.