The 2018/19 BCHL regular season has concluded and the Langley Rivermen are geared up for the first round of the playoffs. Mainland Division rival Chilliwack Chiefs will be the opening opponent for the Riv. Langley finished the regular season off with a 1-2 record over the weekend.
In the first game of the final weekend, the Merritt Centennials came to town and proved to be a strong matchup for the home side. With the game tied at 2 heading into the extra frame, the Centennials came out on top in the shootout by a score of 3-2. Daneel Lategan and Devin Leduc provided the scoring for the Rivermen, while Frazer Dodd and Mathieu Gosselin found the back of the net for Merritt. Braedon Fleming stopped all 17 shots he faced in relief for Langley. Centennials goaltender Austin Roden also stood on his head, stopping 44 of 46 shots.
The following night was a different story for the Rivermen as they welcomed the Surrey Eagles to the Lodge for a final time this season. Langley pounced early and potted four goals in the first period on route to a 7-2 victory. Lategan and Leduc once again led the way with two goals each, the latter also added on an assist. Riv goalie Shayne Battler bounced back from the previous night, stopping 34 of 36 shots he faced.
The season concluded with a final trip to South Surrey Arena to play the same Eagles squad. This time Surrey found a way to end their season on a high note, beating the Riv by a score of 3-2. Tanner Versluis and Jake Livingstone found the score sheet for Langley.
The first round of the playoffs provides the Rivermen with a strong adversary to begin with. The top-seeded Chilliwack Chiefs led the entire BCHL in points this season with 85 (42-15-1-0). Langley’s rivals also took the season series between the two teams, 8-0, though five of those eight meetings were decided by a single goal and two more were decided by two goals.
Games 1 and 2 will take place in Chilliwack at Prospera Centre on Friday, March 1st and Saturday, March 2nd. Games 3 and 4 will take place in Langley at George Preston Arena on Monday, March 4th and Tuesday, March 5th. If necessary, Game 5 will be in Chilliwack on March 7th, Game 6 will be in Langley on March 8th, and Game 7 will be back in Chilliwack on March 10th.
Game times for Monday and Tuesday at the Lodge are 7:15pm on both nights.
Tickets for home games can be purchased 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.
