Pre-Game Report: Eagles vs. Chiefs

The Surrey Eagles will host the Chilliwack Chiefs in their home opener tonight at the South Surrey Arena. Make sure to get to the rink early as the pre-game festivities are set to begin at 5pm. The Birds will also unveil their brand new white jerseys prior to this evening's game.

Tonight's game is the first of eight meetings between the two teams this season. In their only match-up last year, Surrey skated away with a 3-2 victory on November 2, 2011 at the Prospera Centre. The last time Chilliwack and Surrey faced each other at the South Surrey Arena in regular season action was on February 24, 2006 when the game finished tied 3-3. After the 2005-2006 season, the Chiefs relocated to Langley for five years before returning to the 'Wack after the departure of the WHL's Chilliwack Bruins.

The Eagles are coming off a 6-1 loss at the hands of the West Kelowna Warriors in their second and final game at the BCHL Showcase last Sunday evening. Surrey sits at 1-1-0-0 on the season after the opening weekend in the valley. The Birds' power play was effective in first game against Powell River but had more trouble gaining traction against the Warriors. Brett Mulcahy has had a strong start to the year for the Eagles with two goals and an assist including a power play marker against his former team on Sunday. 

After scoring the overtime winner in the victory over the Kings a week ago, Demico Hannoun sat out Sunday's game with an undisclosed injury. However, he is expected to be back for the Eagles tonight. Kolten Grieve has been skating with the team this week as he continues to recover from a lower body injury suffered in the pre-season, but he is not expected to suit-up just yet.

The Chiefs are also 1-1-0-0 after opening the showcase with a 2-1 loss to the defending Royal Bank Cup champion Penticton Vees. But Chilliwack bounced back with a 2-1 win of their own over Nanaimo on Saturday night. Alexandre Perron-Fontaine and David Thompson, who are both committed to NCAA schools, currently lead the Chiefs with two points each through 120 minutes of hockey. Goaltender Mitch Gillam played in both games at the showcase for Chilliwack, posting a 1.51 goals-against-average and a .962 save percentage.

Where: South Surrey Arena

When: 7:00pm

How to listen: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/surreyeagleshockey

How to watch: http://www.fasthockey.com