Tanner Johnson scored the overtime game-winning goal for his new team, the BCHLLangley Rivermen, beating the Vernon Vipers 3 – 2 on Saturday, Feb. 23 in Vernon.
If that wasn’t enough, the 17-year-old rookie defenceman also scored his first career BCHL goal in the second period to open the scoring for the Rivermen.
Despite being down two goals after the first, Johnson made no mistake on a “come-in-late” play that sealed the team’s 22nd win. Currently, the team is fourth in the Mainland Division.
“It was probably the most memorable moment of the season,” said Johnson. “It was two-on-two and Ustaski was driving wide. I jumped in the play late. He centred to the middle guy who found me high and I just put it along the ice five-hole — game winner.”
The Castlegar native said it has been quite a change since making the move from the Rebels in November, 2012, but he’s only about a 10-minute drive to the rink. Johnson is billeting with a family who he said have been “unreal.”
