Your Langley Rivermen capped off the Bauer BCHL Showcase this weekend going 2-0! The first game the boys came through in a fantastic total team showing knocking off the Trail Smoke Eaters 4-1.
Saturday was a showcase of a different kind, the Rivermen penalty kill was put to task ten times before the final buzzer against the Merritt Centennials. Langley’s Ethan Leyh opened up the games scoring with a shot on goal that beat goaltender Vincent Duplessis. Moments later Trevor Ayre made it 2-0 Rivermen. Despite having 12 shots on goal and four power plays late in the first, the surging Centennials attack was thwarted by goaltender Braedon Fleming. Fleming has been brilliant this season so far, ensuring that second chance opportunities are limited with his excellent rebound control.
Eventually in the second period the Cents would get the power play goal they were seeking when Nick Granowicz beat Fleming in front of the goal going blocker side. Christian Sabin tied the game at two with just under a minute left in what was a period controlled by the Centennials, outshooting Langley 24-13 through two periods.
A fast paced third period had both teams getting some very good scoring chances and it was a matter of time before someone struck first. That someone would be Ethan Leyh with his second of the night after a nifty drop pass from Stephenson left him alone with time to victimize Vincent Duplessis over the blocker giving the Rivermen their lead back again. With their net empty the Centennials put on as much pressure as they could while on the power play in the games final moments when Tanner Versluis did the work of a yeoman scoring an empty netter to finish off Merritt. While Merritt’s four game winning streak was halted, the beginnings of a Rivermen streak has begun. A very successful Bauer BCHL Showcase for Langley winning both games making our record now 4-2-0.
RIV nation can catch the boys back at home on the 29th as the Prince George River Kings come to town. But before that, if you can make the trip, the Rivermen are in action at the Poirier Sports and Leisure Centre taking on the Coquitlam Express on Friday September 28th.
Tickets for home games can be purchased 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.
