The Rivermen played their last two games at home before a road trip this weekend up to Prince George to visit the Spruce Kings. Langley won both games 2-1 against Prince George and 5-1 against Alberni Valley.
Saturday, PG came out flying like we knew they would, but the Riv struck first on a great play down low by John Wojciechowski to find Angus Crookshank before Brendan Budy ripped one short side to take a 1-0 lead into the 2nd period.
‘Im just trying to use my body and size to work the puck down low and win puck battles to free the puck up for Buds and Beef (Budy and Crookshank). Beef came back from injury and has been flying, Buds is all over the puck right now and I just love playing with them, at the same time we are having success so its working.
Wojciechowski added, the 19 year old New Yorknative is in his first season with the Rivermen.
Crookshank would add another on the power play in the 3rd giving newcomer Derek Hamelin his first BCHL point in his debut with the Rivermen. Fleming, between the pipes was solid as always picking up his 7th win of the season.
Sunday, Alberni was in town, last meeting saw the Rivermen come back to tie the game late before eventually falling in overtime. They were coming in about to play their 3rd game in 3 days on a road trip and the Rivermen knew a good start was key.
“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy, they are a good team they skate well, we couldn’t solve their goalie last game so we new as long as we set the standard in the first and kept to the plan we would be fine.”
Said Captain Brendan Budy. Budy found the net for his second game in a row off of a great feed from Angus Crookshank on a forced turnover by Wojciechowski. Crookshank, Butte, Ponak and Brady Berger found the back of the net as well, Berger’s would mark his first of the season. Budy’s productive weekend put him into a tie for league lead in points.
“It was nice to get that one out of the way, wasn’t the prettiest but a goals a goal, I’ve just been trying to play the way the coaches want me to, be hard on the defensive side of the puck, be hard to play against and come back harder on the back check than the for-check. I am happy our line got rewarded with one.”
Said Berger.
Chad Cromar was solid backstopping the Riv to the 5-1 victory stoping 28 of 29 shots faced to pick up his 3rd win of the season.
The Riv have a few days of practice ahead before making their way up the PG to face the Spruce Kings Friday and Saturday night.Two huge road games and 4 points available against a division opponent who is right on their tails for first place.
Join us Nov 7 back at The Lodge when we take on the visiting Vernon Vipers.
