Township of Langley, BC (Sunday, December 20, 2015) – The Langley Rivermen and Prince George Spruce Kings had one game left before they both hit the holiday break. Coming into the game, the Riv led the season series 2-0, and outscored Prince George 9-1. Nick Trencianksy got his sixth straight start in net for the Rivermen, while Sam Tanguay played for PG. For both teams, it was their third game played in three days.
Prince George got the scoring started at 15:31 of the first frame with a goal from Corey Hoffman. Just over three minutes later, the Rivermen would respond with a marker from Matt Saharchuk, who scored his 13th of the year. After Jason O’Neill stole the puck in the attacking zone, Zac Masson put the puck on net and Saharchuk was right there to knock it out of mid-air and put it behind Tanguay. For Saharchuk, it was his third straight game with a goal.
In the second period, Torrin White got the home team their first lead of the game. It all happened after a perfectly executed three-way passing play between Matthew Graham, Dominic Franco, and White, who made no mistake on the backhand on the dish from Franco from the right-wing. Zac Masson then made it a two goal advantage for the Rivermen as he stuffed in a rebound off a Max Kaufman wrap around chance. For Masson, it was his seventh goal of the season.
Six minutes into the final period, John Schuldt scored to make it 4-1 with the assists going to Franco and Will Campion. At 14:20, Jason O’Neill jammed in a loose puck in the crease to put the game on ice. Jordan Schneider had the lone assist on the play.
It was the third straight victory on the weekend for the Rivermen who enjoyed a very successful RIVMAS campaign. The line of Saharchuk, O’Neill, and Masson terrorized opponents over the last two games combining to score seven times, with each of them hitting the net in back to back games. The Rivermen are now 21-13-1-0 on the season and are four points back of Wenatchee for second place in the Mainland Division.
NOTES: Shots on Goal: LAN 45, PG 35. Power play: LAN 0/1, PG 0/5. Three Stars: 1st: LAN Dominic Franco, 2nd: LAN Nick Trencianksy, 3rd: LAN Zac Masson.
