Langley BC – The Langley Rivermen saw their 4 game win streak come to an end with a 2-1 loss to the Merritt Centennials on Friday night.
Marcus Vela would get the Riv off to a quick start scoring an unassisted goal just over a minute into the game on a low wrist shot off the left wing. The newest Rivermen Liam McDermott looked to pick up his first point on the goal but was not credited on the play.
Scott Patterson would tie the game for the Cents at the 13:41 mark on a very similar goal to Vela’s beating Steve Myland through the five hole who got the start in net for Langley.
The Riv would start the 2nd period on the man advantage but were unable to generate much and Patterson would get his 2nd of the game shortly after to give Merritt a 2-1 lead.
Both power play units struggled on the evening as both teams went scoreless on the man advantage. No easy task for Langley as Merritt came in with the top ranked power play unit in the league.
The third frame was an evenly matched period with both teams checking hard but neither team was able to score. The Riv had a hard time generating quality scoring opportunities and when they did Devin Kero was in position to stop the puck and control the rebounds.
Mitch McLain looked to tie the game late but the goal was waived off with the referee ruling the puck was kicked in. That proved to be the best chance of the period as Merritt would hang on for the win.
The Riv will look to answer back on their home ice Saturday night as they will face the Centennials once again. The season series is now tied at 1-1. Face off from the Langley Events Centre is at 7:15pm.
