Chiefs Double Eagles 4-2

The Chilliwack Chiefs doubled a short-manned Surrey Eagles squad 4-2 at Prospera Centre on Saturday night in the final meeting of the regular season between the two teams. Austin Plevy had two goals and an assist for the Chiefs in the win. The season series finishes tied as both clubs had a record of 4-3-0-1 against each other.

The Eagles found the net first when Joel Gaudet tipped a point shot past Chilliwack goaltender Mitch Gillam for his third goal of the season. But the Chiefs responded, pulling onto level terms just 13 seconds later when Trevor Hills got the puck all alone in front of the goal and beat Michael Santaguida to tie the game. Surrey retook the lead before the end of the frame when Trevor Cameron scored on a wrap around after Gillam turned the puck over in the right corner and couldn’t get back into position in time to make the stop.

Chilliwack came out firing in the middle frame, firing 16 shots on Santaguida, and the Chiefs found their equalizer on the power play. With Jordan Klimek in the box after receiving a delay of game penalty for knocking the net off its moorings, Plevy got the puck in the right corner and threw it to the front of the goal. Unfortunately for the Eagles, Plevy’s pass attempt bounced off the foot of Dan O’Keefe and into the Surrey goal, tying the game at 2-2.

The Chiefs power play struck again in the third when Phil Zielonka buried his 32nd goal of the year with a shot from the slot that got past Santaguida over the blocker. Surrey had a number of chances with the man advantage late in the game, but the Birds couldn’t find a goal, and Plevy clinched the win for the home team when he scored into an empty net with five seconds left on the clock.

Surrey struggled on the power play, finishing 0-for-7, while the Chiefs scored twice on five opportunities with the man advantage. The Birds were out shot 39-27 with the Chiefs firing 32 shots on Santaguida in the final 40 minutes. Surrey played the game with only 14 skaters.

The Eagles will head out on a three game Island Division road trip on Friday, February 22nd when they’ll visit the Powell River Kings. The game will begin at 7:30pm.

Pro4 Sports 3 Stars:
1. Ryan Donohoe - Chilliwack
2. Phil Zielonka – Chilliwack
3. Michael Santaguida – Surrey

My 3 Stars:
1. Austin Plevy – Chilliwack
2. Cooper Rush – Chilliwack
3. Craig Wyszomirski - Surrey