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A frustrating Family Day game for Langley Rivermen

Chilliwack Chiefs open up early scoring lead in Monday hockey game
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Langley Rivermen forward Ryan Barrow and Chilliwack Chiefs defenceman Dennis Cholowski fight for position in front of Chiefs goalie Aidan Pelino on Feb. 8 at the Langley Events Centre. Chilliwack won 5-2.

The Langley Rivermen were unable to overcome an early scoring lead by the Chilliwack Chiefs Monday (Feb. 8).

The Rivermen hosted the Chiefs at a special Family Day game at the Langley Events Centre.

Coming into the contest, the Chiefs led the season series 4-2.

Bo Didur started in net for the Rivermen, while Aiden Pelino countered for the Chiefs.

The Chiefs opened up the scoring early on at the 1:28 mark with a goal from Darien Craighead.

During four-on-four play, Chilliwack doubled their lead thanks to Jordan Kawaguchi at 12:50.

Kawaguchi then scored a power play goal with 34 seconds remaining to make it 3-0.

The Chiefs took their three-goal lead into the second period and led the shot count 9-3.

In the second Kawaguchi capped off the hat trick, scoring the only goal of the period on a Chiefs power play to extend the lead to 4-0 after 40 minutes.

With under eight minutes to play, Zac Masson would break Pelino’s shutout as he put away his own rebound on a breakaway.

For Masson, it was an unassisted goal and his eighth of the season.

At 18:06, Masson scored his second of the period on the power play to cut the Chiefs’ lead to a pair of goals.

Matthew Graham and Ryan Barrow had the assists.

However, Kawaguchi sealed the game, scoring into the empty net for his fourth of the afternoon to make it a 5-2 final.

Jordan Kawaguchi was the difference maker in the game, scoring four out of Chilliwack’s five on the day.

The Rivermen remain in third place in the Mainland Division.

Catch them in action at their next home game on Feb. 21 at 3 p.m., against the Victoria Grizzlies.