The Langley Rivermen concluded a three game homestand this past weekend with pair of losses to the Vernon Vipers on Friday and Saturday against the Surrey Eagles.
Friday’s game was the first and only meeting of the season between the two teams this season. The visitors team opened the scoring early on in the opening period, however Rivermen captain Vitaly Levyy tied the game late on with his fourth of the season to make it 1-1 going into the first intermission. Vernon took over the game in the second period with three unanswered goals including two on the power play to lead 4-1 going into the final frame.
The Vipers would keep up the scoring in the final frame, scoring three more goals to take the only meeting of the season between the two teams 7-2. Oskar Komarov did score a consolation goal for Langley in the last few minutes of the game on his 20th birthday.
Saturday’s game against the Surrey Eagles was a redemption game for Langley and they came out hard against their lower mainland rivals. Charlie Tritt once again held down the fort in the Rivermen goal, and despite some excellent scoring chances for the home team the first period ended scoreless. Oskar Komarov would again get on the scoresheet for the home team, scoring two goals on either side of a Surrey marker to give the Rivermen a 2-1 lead going into the third.
Surrey would score two goals six minutes apart in the third period to take the two teams’ second meeting of the season 3-2.
“That’s not the way we wanted the weekend to go, we were in the game against Surrey on Saturday but we are still a young team that will learn from those types of games.” Said Rivermen Director of Hockey Operations Curtis Fraser after the game.
“This is a young team that learned a lot of hard lessons against Surrey and Vernon, but we will improve and come back better next weekend.” Said Fraser.
Langley begin their first extended road trip of the season this coming Friday in Cowichan against the Capitals, and then a rare back to back game in Victoria on Saturday and Sunday against the Grizzlies. The Rivermen are back at home on October 20th to take on the Merritt Centennials, and the next night to take on the Powell River Kings. Tickets can be purchased at langleyrivermen.com.
Gideon Hill
Rivermen Play by Play Broadcaster
