The Langley Rivermen opened the season in style on Friday afternoon with a big 7-3 victory over the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. It was the first game of the BCHL Showcase and with 126 scouts on hand, the Rivermen did not disappoint.
The Bulldogs scored the first goal of the game on a jam play on James Barr as Zach Funk stuffed in a loose puck in the crease. That goal seemed to spark the Rivermen because just a couple of shifts later, Ben Butcher scored the first Rivermen goal of the season on a beautiful play set up by Matt Ustaski. Then with under five minutes to go and with the ‘Men shorthanded, Scott Moyer jumped on a loose puck at centre ice that bounced over a Bulldogs defenseman’s stick and went in alone on a breakaway and scored a fantastic back hand goal to make it 2-1.
With under three minutes play, the Rivermen scored another power play goal courtesy of Thomas Nitsche on a seeing eye shot from the point.
The ‘Dogs would get a mean nothing goal with 25 seconds left on a power play of their own, but would fall to the Rivermen by a final score of 7-3.
James Barr picked up his first win of the season facing 26 shots, while Jay Deo took the loss facing 28 pucks.
On special teams the Rivermen finished the game 2/7, while the Bulldogs went 2/8. The Rivermen closed out the showcase on Sunday night at 6 p.m. against Prince George.
The Rivermen’s first home game will be Saturday, Sept. 22 at the Langley Events Centre.
The game will give fans in Langley the first chance to see the club’s dramatically re-vamped roster which features more speed, skill and physicality. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.ca