The Rivermen started off the long three-game weekend with a bang, taking a convincing 6-1 victory over the Coquitlam Express before dropping games to Prince George and Surrey on the following nights.
Coming hot out of the gate against the Express, the Rivermen managed to pot three goals in the first period on route to their first win of the season. The captain Tanner Versluis led the way with two goals and an assist while Will Dow-Kenny, Matteo Pecchia, Tristan Fraser, and Kalen Szeto also scored. For Fraser, his hot streak continued as his tally was his fifth goal of the season. Braedon Fleming stopped 16 of the 17 shots he faced, while Kristian Lyon also made 3 saves after briefly coming in relief after an equipment malfunction. Kabir Gill scored the lone Express goal.
The following two nights were not as kind to the Langley side. Saturday night saw the Rivermen welcome the defending Fred Page Cup champion Prince George Spruce Kings, who pulled away with the 2-1 victory late on a goal from Cole Leal. For the Riv, it was Joseph Musa who tallied the lone marker. Jake Livingstone came away with his seventh assist of the season. In Sunday’s 5-3 loss against the Surrey Eagles, plenty of Rivermen found the scoresheet including goals from Versus, Jonathan Stein, and Brendan Budy. Pecchia had two assists in the loss.
Up next for the Rivermen is a home and home against the Eagles this weekend to complete the three-straight matchups against them. Friday night will be in Surrey at South Surrey Arena with a 7:00 pm start time. They will then face off once again on Saturday night at the Lodge with a 7:15 pm puck drop.
Tickets for home games can be purchased online at HappsNow.com, at the George Preston Recreation Centre “The Lodge” box office 45 minutes before puck drop, and by calling 604-229-2352 or emailing tickets@langleyrivermen.com.
