The first place Langley Rivermen are getting set for another big weekend in BCHL action. Both games this weekend come against division rivals. First up is a 7pm puck drop from Coquitlam against the Express on Friday night. . The Riv will return home to the LEC against the Surrey Eagles on Saturday for a 7:15pm start.
Friday is setting up to be an absolute dandy of a game as both teams are coming in riding high. The Rivermen have won four straight, including going a perfect three for three last weekend. Langley now sits atop the Mainland division with a 7-3-0-1 record good for 15pts. Captain Mitch McLain is in the midst of a 10 game points streak. Austin Azurdia is on fire right now! Azurdia was the overtime hero on Sunday, scoring the GWG for a huge comeback victory versus the Bulldogs. James Robinson received honorable mention for player of the week after scoring 1 goal and 5 assists and maybe most importantly; both goaltenders in Steve Myland and Brock Crossthwaite won their last two outings.
The Express are also rolling in the BCHL. Coquitlam also won all three of their games last weekend, beating the Chilliwack Chiefs twice, and getting past the Eagles last Sunday afternoon. Coquitlam comes in with three of the top five scores in the league. Adam Rockwood leads the entire BCHL with 19pts Corey Mackin sits in the third with 16pts and the reigning player of the week Ryan Rosenthal who has 9 goals and 6 assists in nine games this season, good for fifth overall. The Express sit one point back in the standings of the Rivermen and come in with a record of 6-2-0-2.
The two teams split their first two meetings with both teams winning on each others home ice. Coquitlam winning 6-2 in Langley and the Riv answered back a night later with a double overtime victory in Coquitlam winning 5-4.
The Express have the third best penalty kill unit in the BCHL and lead the league in short-handed goals with five. Langley’s power play has looked better over the last few games. Something will have to give in this one. Another thing to watch will be the face off dot. Matt Ustaski has been dynamite over the last few games winning key draws in crucial situations. That has played a large part in the Langley’s recent success.
Looking ahead to Saturday, the Surrey Eagles are a team heading in the other direction. After a 5-3 start, the Eagles have dropped three straight including those two losses to the Riv. The Eagles now find themselves five points back of the division leading Rivermen. Surrey will also be in action the night before. The Eagles will play a home game against a good Powell River Kings team. Key players to watch on the Eagles include their leading scorer Jonah Renouf and line mate Nicolas Pierog. Surrey still ranks in the top five in the league on the power play so discipline and a quick start will be in key in this one.
Head Coach Bobby Henderson has found some nice pairings on defense and the top two lines are red hot for the Riv. That did not stop the HC from putting the players through a tough week of practice. Langley has shown steady improvement over the last four games. Let’s see if the Riv can keep it rolling this weekend. Drop the puck, and let’s play some hockey!
