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Graboski guns one as Chiefs double up Eagles

The Chilliwack Chiefs beat the Surrey Eagles 4-2 Saturday night in their official BCHL home opener at Prospera Centre.
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Mitch Skapski of the Chilliwack Chiefs gets low to shoot the puck during the BCHL team's season opener against the Surrey Eagles on Saturday at Prospera Centre.

The Chilliwack Chiefs bounced back from a double-overtime road loss in Surrey Friday night, taking a 4-2 decision in the Saturday night rematch.

Spencer Graboski led the way with two points as the Chiefs took their official home opener, improving their early season record to 2-1-0-1.

After a scoreless first period, the goals came fast and furious in the second.

Chilliwack scored three in less than four minutes to open up a 3-0 lead. Spencer Graboski got it started at 1:26, striking from the high slot with a hot shot over the glove of Eagles netminder Glenn Ferguson.

Newly minted captain David Thompson set up Luke Esposito at 3:57.

Esposito skated through the goal-mouth, collected the rebound from Thompson's point shot and popped it past Ferguson for his first BCHL goal.

Graboski had a hand in the third Chilliwack goal, scored at 5:22 by Tanner Cochrane.

Graboski did the work, driving around Surrey Eagle Dan O'Keefe before shoveling the puck into the blue paint. Crease crashing Cochrane cleaned up, poking the rebound past Ferguson for his first of the year.

Eagles coach Matt Erhart called timeout to settle his team down, and Surrey came back pressing.

The Eagles came in waves and got on the board at 11:24 on a goal by Brett Mulcahy. The Kelowna native benefited from a bounce, with an Eric Chevrier point shot hopping off the end boards and back in front.

Mulcahy snuck the puck between Gillam and the short-side post to cut into the Chilliwack lead.

But Josh Hansen scored a timely tally with 1:09 remaining in the middle frame to send the Chiefs to the break with a 4-1 lead.

Chiefs goaltender Mitch Gillam came up with a big stop to start the third period, thwarting Brandon Morley as he cut across the crease.

Midway through period three, the goalie stretched post to post to keep Surrey's Chris Tracy at bay.

From there, the Chiefs were able to nurse the game to a close, though things got chippy at the end.

Playing in his first BCHL game, Chilliwack's Brodyn Neilson got into a brief scrap with Surrey's Beau Orser.

A couple shifts later, Shay Laurent went barreling into the Surrey net, drawing special attention from Eagles D-man Devon Toews and nearly instigating a line brawl. Laurent and Toews drew 10 minute misconducts.

Surrey's Drew Best scored in the final minute to make the final 4-2.

The three stars were Graboski (first), Esposito (second) and Hansen (third).

The Fortis BC Energy Player of the Game was Chiefs D-man Ben Masella.

Attendance was 2,149.

The next home game is Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. at Prospera Centre versus the Victoria Grizzlies.



Eric Welsh

About the Author: Eric Welsh

I joined the Chilliwack Progress in 2007, originally hired as a sports reporter.
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