The 5-game road trip continues for the Langley Rivermen this week, as they roll into the Chilliwack Coliseum on Wednesday evening to take on the Chiefs for the first time this season.
These two teams have not played since preseason, with the Chiefs prevailing in overtime at the Coliseum. It is the first time since the 2014-15 season that the two teams have not met through the first month of the season, so with both teams trending upwards it is a good litmus test for Langley as we approach the quarter point of the BCHL season.
The Rivermen snapped a 3-game losing skid on Saturday night in Victoria with a 3-2 overtime win over the Grizzlies thanks to a spectacular overtime winner from Ilya Rogovsky.
Like Langley, the Chiefs played on Vancouver Island this weekend, winning 8-6 in Cowichan on Friday, but dropping a tight 4-3 decision to Nanaimo on Saturday.
CHILLIWACK PLAYER TO WATCH
#27 Caleb Malhotra – the son of former Vancouver Canucks forward Manny (who now serves as head coach of the Canucks AHL team in Abbotsford), is a prospect to watch this season. As a 2008 born forward, he is already committed to Boston University and has had a good start to his BCHL career. He has 5 points in his last 5 games coming into Wednesday and his overtime winner against Langley in the preseason is something he will have in the back of his mind in the first meeting of the season between the two sides.
Friday is a trip to Surrey for the Rivermen, for their third meeting of the season against the Eagles. The two teams split the first two meetings of the season in September, with Langley winning on September 27th in Surrey 4-1, and the Eagles winning in a shootout at the Lodge on September 28th 4-3.
With Surrey having dropped their last three games coming into Wednesday in Coquitlam, expect them to be motivated as they return home from the road trip on Friday.
SURREY PLAYER TO WATCH
#17 Siwhan Kim – the Seoul, South Korea born forward has had an excellent start to his BCHL career, after only joining Surrey in the first week of October. After going pointless in his debut, Kim has netted points in 7 of the next 8 games, and will look to continue his strong play on Wednesday against Coquitlam, and Friday at home against Langley.
Saturday, the Rivermen return home to take on the Powell River Kings for the third time this season.
The two teams met in Powell River on October 4th and 5th, with the Kings winning the first game 4-2, and Langley winning in overtime the next night 4-3 courtesy of an Adyn Merrick hat trick.
The Kings snapped a two-game slide on Saturday at home against Prince George, defeating the Spruce Kings thanks to a hat trick from Christian Maro and a 34 save performance for Elliott Pratt, his first BCHL win. They will be in Chiliwack on Friday to begin their mini lower mainland road trip.
POWELL RIVER PLAYER TO WATCH
#2 Calvin Beard – the 2005 born defenceman had the first two goals of his BCHL career against Langley in early October on back to back nights, and has rattled off four points in his last 6 games, putting him third in team scoring. Look for the Kings top scoring defenceman to be a threat for Langley on Saturday as the Southborough, Massachusetts product has a heavy shot from the blueline.
LANGLEY PLAYER TO WATCH
#19 Ryan Schelling – Langley’s leading point getter this year will need to continue his offensive scoring output this week as the Rivermen play three games in five days against tough competition. The Suffern, New York native has four points over his last three games, and 16 points in 14 games this season.
Saturday at the George Preston Arena is Future Rivermen night, and all kids wearing minor hockey jerseys get in free, presented by Friendz at 5 Corners childcare. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.showpass.com/single-game-tickets-7/.
