The Chilliwack Chiefs (12-11-1) came to the Nest to take on the Eagles (2-20-3), and the Chiefs wasted no time getting on the board. Just four minutes in, Cole Hutchinson blasted one from the right circle past Eagles goaltender Finn Marshall to put Chilliwack in the driver’s seat early. The remainder of the first period turned into a goaltending battle, as Chiefs goalie David Di Girolamo and Finn Marshall combined for 26 saves in the opening frame.
In the second period, however, the Eagles tied it up just three minutes in, as Ryan Staples continued to make a big offensive impact, bringing him to eight points in 11 games. The goal lit a fire under Chilliwack, as they went on to dominate the rest of the period, generating chance after chance. They finally capitalized nine minutes later when Darik Olsen took advantage of a fortuitous bounce in front of the Eagles’ net, making it 2-1 Chiefs heading into the third.
The Chiefs did not let up in the third, coming out strong and putting on a masterclass in how to close out a lead—keeping the play 200 feet away from their own net for most of the first 10 minutes. They added another goal courtesy of star defenseman Olivier Beaulieu.
The Eagles began to press late in the period, and down 3-1 they generated some solid chances in tight on Di Girolamo. With the goalie pulled, the Eagles got one last opportunity on a one-timer from the left side, but after a scramble for the rebound, Di Girolamo covered the puck, ending the Eagles’ hopes of a comeback and securing the win for Chilliwack.
The FortisBC Energy Player of the Game went to Ryan Staples. The third star was awarded to Finn Marshall, who did all he could, stopping 41 of 44 shots. The second star went to Chiefs forward Maximilian Brunner, who notched two assists, and the first star went to Olivier Beaulieu, who recorded a goal and an assist.
The Eagles are back in action on December 12 against the Nanaimo Clippers. Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m. At Frank Crane Arena.
