The Chilliwack Chiefs made a move to alleviate their crowded crease situation earlier this week, releasing 20-year-old Lyndon Stanwood. It’s tough to see such a class act go.
Stanwood had high expectations coming over from Trail in an offseason trade.
He was up and down through 13 appearances, posting a 2-10-1 record with a 4.14 goals-against average and .900 save percentage.
The move leaves the Chiefs with 19-year-old Spencer Tremblay and 18- year-old Chilliwack native Josh Halpenny as their goaltenders.
The goalies and their teammates face a tough weekend. Or, as Chandler Bing would say “Could this weekend BE any tougher?” The Chiefs will play three games in less than 48 hours. In that time they could very well be facing three division leaders.
Friday night the league leading Powell River Kings (19-4-1-1) visit Prospera Centre.
Kings general manager and head coach Kent Lewis continues to do a great job.
Congrats to him for recently joining Chiefs head coach Harvey Smyl and Victoria Grizzlies head coach Bill Bestwick as the only bench bosses to have been behind the bench for 1,000 BCHL games and earn 500 wins.
Saturday, Chilliwack makes their lone trip of the regular season to Penticton.
The Vees lead the Interior Division with 36 points but that might change prior to Saturday’s game as only five points separate the top five teams in that division.
There is a fan bus going and there are a few spots left. Call the Chiefs office if you are interested in going. The game is a 6 p.m. start.
The Chiefs finish the weekend with a Sunday afternoon game in Langley.
The Rivermen were just one point back of the Prince George Spruce Kings heading into last night’s game in Prince George.
Langley’s schedule isn’t much easier as they are in Penticton Friday and West Kelowna Saturday.
On the topic of former Chiefs, you’ll see on page A51 of today’s sports section that former Chief goalie Mitch Gillam had a memorable NCAA debut.
The first goalie other than Andy Iles to start a Cornell game in the last 81, Gillam got the win plus an empty net goal.
After scoring the goal and having his teammates congratulated him, they went for the routine fly by of the bench to celebrate.
Usually, the goal scorer leads that parade, and after letting his teammates get ahead of him en-route to the bench, Gillam quickly skated around them and made sure he led the way.
You can see the video on the Chiefs website at chilliwackchiefs.net.
Lastly, the Chiefs have launched their annual Christmas Gift Pack. For $49.95 including tax, it includes four ticket vouchers good for any Chiefs regular season home game this season plus a $25 gift card for the Chiefs store. With it you also have the option to buy two tickets for $5 to the Chiefs Dec. 29 game vs Surrey. All details and the order form can be found on the Chiefs site.
