Langley, BC – The Rivermen aim to make it four wins in their last five and a fourth straight on home ice as they host the BCHL leading Powell River Kings Saturday night.
It's the Rivermen's annual Teddy Bear Toss game which gets you a free ticket so long as you bring a furry friend with you who will be donated to a local charity.
The 21-11-1-2 Rivermen are coming off a 5-2 win over their division rival Surrey Eagles last night and now lead the Mainland division by five points. Tonight brings in another division leader as the 22-5-2-2 Powell River Kings lead the Island by a single point over Victoria although the Kings do hold three games in hand. The Kings are currently tied with Penticton for most points in the league at 48 but Powell River also has two games in hand over the Vees.
The Kings suffered a rare regulation loss in Victoria last night ending an 11-game point streak. Powell River boasts one of the league's most potent offences but goaltending has been the team's biggest success story so far this season. Rookie Jeff Smith leads the BCHL in both save percentage at .943% and Goals Against Average at 1.73. But not to be outdone, Langley's Brock Crossthwaite sits third in overall wins with 13, seventh in save percentage at .913%, and fifth in Goals Against Average at 2.43. Crossthwaite has also won six of his last seven starts.
No matter who starts in net for either team, goals won't be easy to come by. Langley's league leading penalty kill may be put to another good test, however, as the Kings boast the BCHL's third best power play. The Rivermen put on a special teams clinic against the Eagles and will look to ride that success once again tonight.
Puck drop at the Langley Events Centre is 7:15pm, and don't forget your Teddy Bears!
