The Langley Rivermen played their first road game in nearly three weeks as they took on the Chilliwack Chiefs from Prospera Centre on Wednesday evening. The Rivermen came in having won two straight games and made it three in a row with a 4-3 victory.
There were several changes to the line up for Langley. Newly acquired Jamie Vlanich made his debut and Austin Bietenbeck would make his return to the Riv blue line. The Riv were also without two regulars in the line up tonight. Austin Azurdia served his first of a two game suspension stemming for a blow to the head penalty the previous contest and Viktor Dombroskiy will remain in Alberta, as he has made the Junior A Challenge Canada West roster.
Brock Crossthwaite would get the nod in goal for the Riv on a night the goalkeeper was celebrating his 19th birthday. The net minder did not disappoint improving his record to 6-2 stopping 32 of the 35 shots sent his way.
The opening minutes of the first period were quite uneventful as the two teams exchanged some play in the neutral zone. Things changed at the 6:34 mark when Mitch McLain circled from behind the goal on the backhand, and roofed the puck into the far side top corner to open the scoring. From that point forward the Rivermen dominated the play. However, the Chiefs would tie the game on the rush, as a shot from Jake Hand would beat Crossthwaite high glove side. Nathan Craft would put the Riv back in the lead shortly after that. With just 44 seconds left in the period Craft would find the back of the goal on shot from his off wing beating Josh Halpenny who got the start in net for the Chiefs.
The second began much like the first with the Rivermen controlling the play and having the majority of the scoring chances. The Rivermen would fire 20 shots on target in the middle frame but the Chiefs would be the only team to score. A point shot from Carter Cochrane would find its way past a screened Crossthwaite.
The third would be a very entertaining 20 minutes with some wide open play and chances for both clubs. After killing off some early penalty trouble the Rivermen would take the lead on a nifty passing play. Will Cook forced a turnover in the corner and centered the puck to Valanich who made a nice one touch pass to a streaking James Robinson who snapped home the go ahead goal. The score would remain 3-2 until the 16:43 mark. Matt Ustaski found a rebound at the side of the goal and roofed home the eventual game winner. Kurt Black would draw the Chiefs within one less than a minute later on a strange goal off a scramble play in front of the net. A late flurry from the Chiefs with an extra attacker came up empty as the Rivermen hung on for a gritty road win.
Some side notes in this one. Both teams went scoreless on the power play and the Rivermen dominated the face off dot and time of possession.
Three stars from tonight’s contest: 3rd – Tony Bretzman 2nd – Jake Hand 1st – James Robinson
Langley will look to make it four in a row in their second meeting of the year against the Prince George Spruce Kings this Saturday (November 2nd). Game time from the Langley Events Centre is 7:15pm.
