The Langley Rivermen return home after a weekend off of game action as the BCHL had their annual All-Star weekend, with this year the competition taking place in Spruce Grove. Langley host Nanaimo on Friday, January 23rd and visit Chilliwack on January 24th for a 6pm puck drop.
Langley last played a couple of weekends ago in Prince George against the Spruce Kings, dropping a 6-4 decision January 9th and 4-0 the next day January 10th in BC’s northern capital, and the Rivermen have dropped their last three games.
Nanaimo had one game, also a couple weekends ago due to their Saturday game being cancelled against Victoria due to a road closure. Nanaimo bested Powell River 7-2 in their game on Friday at home. The Clippers will play in Chilliwack on Wednesday to begin their three game road trip.
Saturday’s opponent for Langley is the Chilliwack Chiefs, who made their lone trip to Alberta on January 9th and 10th, dropping a high scoring 8-5 game in Sherwood Park on the Friday, and a 7-3 decision to Blackfalds on the Saturday before returning home. The Chiefs will play at home on Wednesday against Nanaimo, and visit Coquitlam on Friday before their meeting with the Rivermen.
NANAIMO PLAYER TO WATCH
#5 Landon Pappas – the 2005 born Airdrie, Alberta has been dynamic for the Clippers this season after joining them from Calgary of the AJHL. Pappas has been eating a lot of minutes defensively, but has also met his strong defensive play with some elite offensive touch. He has collected four goals and 19 assists in 31 games this year, and three goals and two assists in his last three games. Langley will need to be wise in their own zone as Nanaimo are a team that likes to capitalize on their defenceman jumping into the rush, with Pappas among the top defensive point getters this year in the entire BCHL.
CHILLIWACK PLAYER TO WATCH
#29 Nico Grabas – the fourth year Chief has been phenomenal this year, on pace for his best offensive season in his BCHL career while also leading his team as captain. He is also playing his best hockey of late, currently riding an 8 game point streak, finding 8 goals and 10 assists in those 8 games. The speedy Burnaby, BC product will be one Langley will have to keep their eye on this weekend.
RIVERMEN PLAYER TO WATCH
#10 Connor Jalbert – The newest Rivermen made his debut in Prince George on January 9th and 10th, after joining Langley from the Anchorage Wolverines in the NAHL collecting 5 goals and 22 assists in 24 games, and will add some offensive spark to the Rivermen lineup. The 2005 born Marblehead, Massachusetts product is also committed to Army in the NCAA.
Tickets for Friday’s game can be purchased at https://www.showpass.com/o/langley-rivermen-2/, with puck drop for their home game against the Clippers slated for 7:15pm.
