The Langley Rivermen completed the exhibition portion of the schedule on Friday and Saturday night on a winning note and finished the preseason with a record of 4-1-1.
Friday night marked the annual exhibition meeting between the Rivermen and the Trinity Western University Spartans. Langley came into the contest looking to bounce back after a preseason loss to the Chiefs on Wednesday night in Chilliwack.
Spartans would control majority of the play in the first period but some solid goaltending from Langley’s Bo Didur would turn the tide in favour of the Rivermen who would capitalize on the scoreboard and lead 2-0 at one point in the opening frame. Trinity Western would narrow the score late in the 1st period as the 2 teams would hit the dressing room with a 2-1 score for Langley.
Early in the 2nd the Spartans would tie things up and the intensity level ramped up from both clubs and they would exchange multiple scoring chances but the period ended tied up at 2-2.
Into the 3rd and just 1:31 in the Rivermen would break the deadlock when Andrew Dumaresque potted one past the Spartan net minder. Trinity Western would try late in the period to pressure Langley when they pulled the goalie for the extra attacker but some key defence from the Rivermen was enough to hold off the flurry of offence from the Spartans and take the game by a final score of 3-2.
The preseason concluded on Saturday night against the Rivermen’s Mainland Division rivals, the Surrey Eagles out at the South Surrey Arena.
The Rivermen found themselves in penalty trouble in the first and were a step behind the Eagles as they gave up 2 power play goals and Surrey added a shorthanded tally to take a 3-0 lead after 1 period.
Surrey would make it 4-0 just 2:17 into the middle frame and that is where things would change in favour of Langley.
Penalty trouble would cost the Eagles dearly as the Rivermen scored 5 unanswered goals which included 2 power play goals and defeat Surrey by a final score of 5-4.
The Rivermen brass, Bobby Henderson and company, have some tough decisions to make as they need to get the roster down to 22 before the regular season begins.
Now for the exciting part. The regular season is fast approaching and the Langley Rivermen will play host to the Chilliwack Chiefs at ‘The Lodge’ on Friday September 9th. There will be many festivities for the whole family to enjoy so get there early.
The puck drops on the 2016/17 seasson at 7 PM. Come on out and fill the rink. Get your tickets now online tickets.langleyrivermen.com
BRING ON THE SEASON!
As for now, you’re up to date. See you at the rink.
