Township of Langley, BC (Sunday, October 4, 2015) –The Langley Rivermen needed every last second to pull off a thrilling 4-2 win over the Cowichan Valley Capitals on Sunday afternoon at the Langley Events Centre. Entering the game, both teams were yet to lose on the weekend and were playing their third game in three days.
The opening period did not have much in the way of scoring opportunities with it ending scoreless. The Rivermen had three chances on the power play, but could not beat Capitals net-minder Storm Phaneuf. The shots favoured the home team 10-9 after 20 minutes.
In the second, the Rivermen got a goal from Matthew Graham at 8:27 to make it a 1-0 game. Ben Butcher made the entire play happen in the Cowichan end, and found Graham wide open on the right-wing, who wasted no time blasting home his fourth goal of the season. Justin Fregona earned the secondary assist. ‘Riv goaltender Nick Trenciansky was solid stopping all 12 shots he faced in the period.
Before the third period was four minutes old, Matt Saharchuk scored his second goal in as many days. The newly acquired centre was able to spot a rebound near the crease and extended the ‘Riv lead to 2-0. Justin Fregona and Will Campion helped with the assists. During a power play, the Capitals would respond with their first goal of the game at the 8:37 mark. Patrick Geary was able to redirect a shot from the blue line that changed direction on Trenciansky. Just over a minute later, Aiden Macdonald evened up the score for the ‘Caps during another power play opportunity. MacDonald was parked in front of the net and had a pass bank off his skate and found it’s way into the goal in for his third marker of the season. With overtime looming, Justin Szeto sealed the deal scoring on a rebound with five seconds left in regulation. Justin Fregona put the puck on net, and Szeto was able to pounce on the loose puck for his fifth goal of the season. Ben Butcher capped off the scoring into an empty net with one second left.
Rivermen goaltender Nick Trenciansky stopped 26 of 28 shots on the night and earned his third straight win of the weekend. Storm Phaneuf was charged with the loss allowing three goals on 34 shots.
With the victory, the Rivermen swept the weekend with three straight wins and are now first place in the Mainland Division with a 6-2-0-0 record.
The Rivermen host second place Wenatchee at the Langley Events Centre on Friday, October 9th at 7:15pm.
NOTES: Shots on Goal: LAN 34, COW 28. Power play: LAN 0/4, COW 2/5. Three Stars: 1st: LAN Justin Szeto, 2nd: COW Storm Phaneuf, 3rd: LAN Matthew Graham.
