The Rivermen returned home on Friday night to take on their rival the Chilliwack Chiefs, before making the trek out to the valley on Sunday night to take on that same Chiefs team.
Friday’s game started out positively for the home team, as they cashed in on a power play 5:12 into the first period, as Vitaly Levyy’s shot had a big rebound that Conner Schneider fired into the net for his second of the season, giving the Rivermen an early 1-0 lead.
The home team continued their pressure but it was the Chiefs who would tie the game with 1:41 to go in the opening period off an odd man rush.
The Chiefs then would take the lead 31 seconds into the second period off a quick rush into the Rivermen zone, as Nathan Morin scored a quick wrister off the left wing for his 8th of the season.
Langley would respond well in the second period, firing 12 shots on the Chiefs net but goaltender Austin McNicholas turned aside every shot he faced. The Rivermen would kill off two penalties in the second period to ensure it would be 2-1 Chilliwack going into the third period.
The Rivermen had a strong final frame, shooting another 12 pucks on the Chiefs net, had a crossbar from Ethan Reisterer, and an Oskar Komarov shorthanded breakaway saved late on to ensure the visitors would win the third meeting of the season 2-1.
Similar to Friday’s game, Langley would get the lead very early in the game as Aaron Reierson scored his fifth of the season on a loose puck in front. Some strong play from the visitors in that game forced save after save from Chiefs goaltender Austin McNicholas, however the Rivermen went into the second period ahead 1-0. Shortly after a Rivermen power play to begin the second period, Chilliwack broke out on a 2 on 1 and were able to tie it despite the Riv getting some numbers back on that odd man rush.
4:59 later, Brady Millburn would one time the puck past Langley goaltender Charlie Tritt to give his team the 2-1 lead. The Rivermen would respond with some strong play later on in the period, and earned themselves a power play to start the third period.
The home team would pull away in the third period with 3 unanswered goals (including a late empty netter) to win 5-1. Some great Rivermen looks in the final frame were not enough. Komarov even hit a post and Reisterer was robbed by McNicholas to keep the game within reach for his team.
The Rivermen continue their mainland road trip Friday in Coquitlam, and Sunday in South Surrey against the Eagles.
Written by Gideon Hill
