Langley BC—The Langley Rivermen went down in defeat to the Coquitlam Express on Friday night by a score of 6-3 and now find themselves looking up at the Prince George Spruce Kings in the Mainland Division standings with a record of 14-7-1-2.
The Express came out firing in this one scoring on three of their first six shots sent Steve Myland’s way, who got the start in goal. Coquitlam’s first goal came short handed on a break away from Ryan Rosenthal. The second came even strength just under two minutes later off a face off. The third came on the power play less than a minute after that, which would be the end of the evening for Myland.
Austin Azurdia would cut the lead back to two with seven minutes to go as new comer Gage Torrel picked up his first point in the BCHL making a beautiful pass to set up the goal. The Express would restore their three goal lead late in the frame as Canon Pieper found the top corner past a helpless Brock Crossthwaite.
The Riv got the start they were looking for in the middle period when Torrel would score his first goal in the BCHL five minutes in. Will Cook and Azurdia would assist on the goal giving all three forwards two points this evening.
Coquitlam would strike for two more goals before then end of the frame, and
Ben Israel would receive a five minute major penalty and a game misconduct. Israel would lay a very bad hit from behind on Will Cook who lay prone on the ice for several minutes. Cook did eventually leave under his own power but did not return. Langley was unable to capitalize on the man advantage, as the period would finish with the Express holding a four goal lead.
Jackson Waniek who signed with the Rivermen just hours before game time would make his presence known, as he cut the lead to three on a great set up from Chris Forney. Torrel was not done on the evening as he and Joey Santucci would drop the gloves giving Torrel the Gordie Howe hat trick with a goal, an assist, and a fight. That would be as close as the Rivermen would get as the Express cruised to a three goal victory.
The Captain Mitch McLain will return to the line up Saturday night after serving his one game suspension. The status of Zack Urban who left the bench in the third period and Will Cook is unknown at this time. The Rivermen have been hit hard by the injury bug this season as Evan Anderson, James Robinson and Kevan Killistoff will all miss Saturday night’s game. This may open the door for Midget call up Dante Fabbro to play in his second straight. The young 15yr old did not look out of place in his BCHL debut.
Face off between the Victoria Grizzles and the Rivermen is 7:15 from the Langley Events Centre.
