The Rivermen opened the 2019/2020 BCHL Regular Season this past weekend with a pair of losses on home ice to the Coquitlam Express and Chilliwack Chiefs. Despite the defeats to the division rivals, Riv players showed a lot of promise in the first few games.
Langley fans were treated to a special puck drop on Saturday night for the home opener as Vancouver Canucks’ Micheal Ferland was on hand to greet the crowd. After a scoreless first frame, the Express jumped on the Riv in the second. Taking a 3-1 lead into the third period, they added two more to hand the Rivermen a 5-2 loss. Drew Cooper led the way for Coquitlam with two goals and Thomas Wardle stopped 41 of 43 shots. Kalen Szeto tallied the first Rivermen goal of the season and Tristan Fraser also found the back of the net.
The following afternoon saw more of the same against Chilliwack, as they scored the first three goals of the game in a 5-3 Rivermen loss. Chilliwack had goals from five different scorers in the first meeting of the season between the two rivals. Tristan Fraser finished off a hot weekend, notching two of the three Riv tallies. Ryan Helliwell also put one into the net for the home side.
The Rivermen will be back in action on Friday at home against the West Kelowna Warriors. Game time is 7:15 pm at the Lodge.
Tickets for home games can be purchased online at HappsNow.com, at the George Preston Recreation Centre “The Lodge” box office 45 minutes before puck drop, and by calling 604-229-2352 or emailing tickets@langleyrivermen.com.
