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Column: Roster shuffle as Chiefs host Eagles

As Jacob Bestebroer notes in this week's column, a new face could make his Chilliwack Chiefs debut this weekend.

The Chilliwack Chiefs continue a light part of their schedule with just one game this weekend, Friday night at home versus the Surrey Eagles.

As you would expect the theme of the night is Halloween. Everyone is encouraged to dress up in their best costumes as there will be prizes awarded, based on fan vote, for the best ones. There will also be plenty of candy available for the young trick or treaters.

Goaltender Aidan Pelino is expected to be back in the lineup after missing two weeks with a leg injury.

Matteo Esposito was very good in his absence helping lead the team to three straight wins.

He picked up his second shutout of the season in Surrey last week and came within six minutes of posting a second straight shutout in a 3-2 victory over the visiting Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Sunday.

The defence really stepped up their game as well. They limited quality scoring chances against, and did a nice job of taking away the opposition’s passing and shooting lanes.

Sunday’s game may have been the best I’ve seen defenceman Olivier Arseneau play. He played a key part in killing a first period penalty just seconds after the Chiefs had taken a 1-0 lead. He added a power play goal late in the second period.

Since losing to the Chiefs, the Wenatchee Wild have earned five of a possible six points to stay in first place in the Mainland Division with 23 points. The Chiefs are in second place, two points back and three points up on the Langley Rivermen who have played two fewer games.

The Eagles (4-12-0-0) early season struggles continued last weekend. After being shut out by the Chiefs they traveled to Wenatchee where they suffered 7-5 and 8-0 losses. They enter this weekend in last place in the Mainland division.

With forward Jeremy Germain and defenceman Dennis Cholowski expected to be away at university visits this weekend, and the departure of forward Brendan Riley to the P.A.L. Islanders of the USPHL on Long Island New York, 17 year old forward Ben Evanish may get into the lineup.

An affiliate player for the Chiefs who plays for the Valley West Hawks of the BC Major Midget League, he currently leads that league in goals with 16 in nine games. His 20 points have him second in league scoring.

After this weekend the Chiefs will prepare for a pair of home games.

Friday Nov. 6 the Langley Rivermen visit Prospera Center before the Salmon Arm Silverbacks are here on Sunday the 8th.

 

jb@chilliwackchiefs.net