The Langley Rivermen were able to take back to back wins against the Prince George Spruce Kings over the weekend. Both conests were thrilling games right to the bitter end. Below is a round up of both games:
Saturday, October 6th:
The Langley Rivermen pulled out a late 3-2 win against the Prince George Spruce Kings on Saturday night. It was a tight defensive battle for the most part as the Spruce Kings led for most of the night, but for a second straight game the ‘Men scored when they needed it the most.
The first period did not generate much as only 17 shots were directed on goal between both teams. In the dying minutes the Spruce Kings got on the board on a power play goal by Coltyn Hansen who shoved home a loose rebound in front of James Barr to open the scoring. The Rivermen had one glorious scoring chance from Mitch McLain, but he was robbed by Kirk Thompson on a diving effort in what was an open net for McLain.
The second period was a scoreless one between the two teams, which set up an entertaining third. Austin Azurdia broke up the goose egg on a shorthanded breakaway to even the game at one. The Wenatchee native stole the puck in his own zone and raced down the ice past the defense and made a slick one on one move on Thompson to send the crowd into a frenzy. However, the tie would not last long as the Spruce Kings got that one back on the man advantage. Tyson Witala fired a shot from the slot that beat Barr over the glove to regain the lead late on the power play. The Rivermen would need some late heroics yet again and they got it just as their power play expired. Bo Pellah took the puck down low from the point and fed a beautiful pass in front of the goal to Azurdia who made no mistake for his second of the game to even it up yet again. Just under two minutes later the Rivermen would get their first lead of the game thanks to Derek Sutliffe. Jakob Reichert stole the puck at the PG blue line and let a snap shot go that was tipped by Sutliffe on its way to the net. In the building Reichert got credit for the goal, but it was Sutliffe who got a piece of it for his second of the year.
The ‘Men would hold off the Spruce Kings in the end and skated away with their fourth win in seven games. Barr picked up the win facing 19 shots, while Thompson was charged the loss facing 22 pucks.
Sunday, October 7th:
The Langley Rivermen needed every last second to escape with a 4-3 win over Prince George on Sunday afternoon at the LEC. Fresh off a late 3-2 win from Saturday night against those very Spruce Kings, the Rivermen put together a much better 60 minute effort in-game two of the double-header. It was a battle of the number two goalies as Darren Hogg received his second start of the campaign for Langley, while 16 -year-old Liam McLeod started between the pipes for Prince George.
The Rivermen got out the gates with an early goal from Trevor Cope at the 2:01 mark of the first frame. Cope swatted at a loose puck in front of the goal that went off a PG defenders skate and bounced into the back of the net. Just over four minutes later, Matt Ustaski notched his first BCHL goal on a power play. The Illinois product banged home a loose puck in the slot after a juicy rebound was given up off a long blast from Aaron Dolby. The Rivermen would extend the lead to three as Austin Azurdia fired home his third goal of the weekend and shorthanded none the less that chased McLeod from the game early. The Spruce Kings would get on the board before the 15 minute mark on a two-man advantage on a one-time blast from Bradley Ryan from the point. However, the 'Men would take a 3-1 lead after 20 minutes.
The second period had no goals scored from either side, but Hogg turned away all 10 shots he faced while Kirk Thompson kicked aside 12 pucks.
For the second straight night, the third period would be the most entertaining. With a 3-1 lead and time winding down, it looked like the Rivermen had it in the bag. Not quite though as Justin Rai scored back to back goals just 55 seconds apart to shock the home crowd. When it looked like the game was headed for overtime, Austin Azurdia had different plans. With one last rush of the game, the Wenatchee native made a spectacular toe drag move around Mitch Eden and roofed the puck top corner with just 0.3 seconds on the clock. It was the highlight of the year so far and it was the game winning goal as the Rivermen skated away with the two points in a 4-3 final.
Hogg picked up his first career BCHL win facing a total of 35 shots, while Thompson who came in relief for McLeod was charged the loss seeing 30 shots.
