Max Kaufman’s power-play goal helped the Langley Rivermen defeat the Penticton Vees 4-2 and snap their 23-game winning streak Friday in Langley.
Knotted at two, Kaufman scored with 1:20 remaining in regulation, while Torrin White potted the insurance marker into an empty net. Zachary Driscoll made 26 saves in his first loss with the Vees.
The home team opened the scoring as Justin Fregona set up Zac Masson for his third goal of the season as he shovelled his rebound with a backhand upstairs over Driscoll. With 1:06 remaining, Tyson Jost extended his point streak to 13 games when he wired his 22nd goal of the season on the power-play in the top corner.
In the second period, Scott Conway got his second point of the night when his 18th goal gave the Vees a 2-1 lead. That lead didn’t last long as Dominic Franco scored on the power-play to even the score just over a minute later.
The Rivermen outshot the Vees 30-29 and their power-play, two-for-five, bested the Vees who were one-for-three.
Like Jost, Conway extended his point streak to 22 games.
On the first shift the Vees lost forward Dixon Bowen, who was injured on a high hit that went unpenalized and didn’t return. His status for Saturday against the Coquitlam Express is unknown. Rookie forward Ben Brar received a boarding major inside the final minute of regulation and is automatically suspended the next two games as per the rules in the Jr. ‘A’ Supplement.
The Vees, 23-2-0, are now 11-2-0 away from the South Okanagan Events Centre.
In other BCHL scores, the Trail Smoke Eaters got smoked on the road 7-2 by the Nanaimo Clippers. At home, the Salmon Arm Silverbacks demolished the Alberni Valley Bulldogs 10-1, while the Victoria Grizzlies defeated the Cowichan Valley Capitals 6-2. West Kelowna topped Vernon 4-1, Chilliwack needed overtime to defeat the Powell River Kings 3-2 and the Express defeated the Wenatchee Wild 4-1.
