The Langley Rivermen started the 2026-27 season on the road this past weekend, opening the year in Trail on Friday before concluding their brief two game road trip on Saturday in West Kelowna.
Friday started brightly for the Rivermen with a couple of early chances including a near miss from newest Rivermen forward Mikhail Mishin but the Russian forward put the rebound wide.
Trail would put the Rivermen on their heels in the second half of the opening period, but it would remain scoreless after 20 minutes with the Smoke Eaters leading Langley in shots 8-4.
With just over four minutes gone in the second period, Trail would grab their first goal of the season on a deflected shot in front of the Rivermen net, and it would stay 1-0 until the third period of play.
5:02 into the third, returning Rivermen forward Sam Giangualano tipped in a shot from the blueline to tie the game at 1-1 early in the third.
1:06 after their tying goal, Langley would grab another as Josh Frenette sniped one home from a tight angle to make it 2-1 Rivermen with 6:08 gone in the final frame.
The Rivermen staved off late Trail pressure, and a perfect 7 save performance in the third from Karsen Chatier would ensure the visitors skated away with a 2-1 season opening victory.
After a grueling day of travel on Saturday, Langley arrived in West Kelowna to take on the Warriors and found themselves trailing after 20 minutes of play 2-0.
The Warriors fired an additional 16 shots on the Rivermen net in the second period, and found two more goals to lead 4-0 after 40 minutes of play against a fatigued visiting squad.
Late in the game, Sam Allaby would find his name on the scoresheet with his first of the season off a great feed from Nicolas Addy, but that would be as close as the Rivermen would come and the game finished 4-1 in favour of West Kelowna.
The Rivermen return home this weekend to open their home schedule in the 2026-27 season, as Friday they will host the Chilliwack Chiefs on for their home opener, before hosting Cowichan the next night. Saturday night plans to be a hockey festival with a tailgate pregame beginning at 3pm, including live music, vendors, and plenty of fun for the whole family. Tickets can be purchased for both games at https://www.showpass.com/o/langley-rivermen-2/.
