Langley Rivermen lost a close one to the Chilliwack Chiefs, a 6-5 OT win over Sunday, courtesy of one of the host team's youngest players.
Caleb Malhotra, a 2008-forward signed on in April, found the back of the net 1:19 into the first overtime, assisted by Tucker Shedd. It was the fourth shot on the Rivermen's goalie in the short overtime, with the visitor's not even getting a chance to score.
1ST GAME ✅
— Chilliwack Chiefs (@Chiefs_Hockey) September 9, 2024
1ST OT ✅
1ST W ✅
SEE YOU SATURDAY CHILLIWACK pic.twitter.com/AGhHN33TMi
Starting from the beginning, the only goal of the first period went to Langley's Jack Bakker in a power play.
The Chiefs' Savin Virk evened it up early in the second period, but the Rivermen's Luke Pfoh scored at 15:45 bringing the score to 2-1.
Savin evened it up again early in the third period, but the Rivermen's Austin Borggaard answered that with a goal at the 3:27 mark.
A pair of goals by Ty Campbell (7:40) and Jordan Geike (9:22) finally flipped the scoreboard in the Chief's favour, just briefly before a goal by Langley's Jerome Maharaj tied it up again at 4-4.
The Chiefs' Caleb Elfering scored at 15:35, but that was met by a goal by Mason Kesselring just one minute later, tying them up at 5-5.
The Chiefs took 42 shots on net, compared to the Rivermen's 27. Penalty minutes went to Enzo Lottin (slashing), Jordan Geike (minor high-sticking), Connor Dick (cross-checking), Nathan Morin (roughing), Dominic Greico (interference) and Nico Grabas (unsportsmanlike conduct).
It was the third loss in a row for the Rivermen, who fell to to Surrey 5-1 on Sept. 6, and got shut out by Coquitlam 3-0 Sept. 7 before a home ice audience of 547 at George Preston arena.
Next up Rivermen visit Prince George for back-to-back games Sept. 13 and 14 to wrap up preseason exhibition.
Their first regular season game will be Sunday, Sept. 22 against Prince George at George Preston at 2:30 p.m.
