Friday night’s regular season finale was a microcosm of the Langley Chiefs’ 2010/11 hockey season: a great start followed by a poor middle portion to the game. But the Chiefs pulled out Friday’s victory, scoring a 7-6 overtime decision over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks at the Langley Events Centre.
And now the Chiefs are hoping that the great finish to the regular season translates to a great finish in the post-season.
They started the season on a tear, losing just once in regulation over their first 14 games. And they finished the regular season with wins in five of their final six games. But in between, especially in December and January, the Chiefs struggled, going just 15-19-1-6.
On Friday night, the Chiefs wrapped up third place in the BCHL’s Coastal Conference when Brad McBride scored his second of the game 1:50 into overtime.
The goal made up for the fact the Chiefs blew a 5-3 third period lead.
McBride had the only goal of the first period, converting a power-play chance late in the frame. But the Silverbacks struck back early in the second, with goals from Jarryd Ten Vaanholt and Morgan Zulinick 1:04 apart. The latter came with the man advantage.
The Chiefs regained the advantage with the next three goals — Josh Myers, Matt Ius on the power play, and Darnell Dyck.
The teams then exchanged goals in the final minute, David Killip on a Salmon Arm power play, and Ius with his second of the night.
The Silverbacks tied the game at five thanks to goals from Brett Knowles and Devin Gannon in the first half of the third, before Brandon Thompson made it 6-5. But the seesaw game continued when Jayson Reardon knotted the score just 24 seconds later, setting the stage for McBride’s overtime heroics.
Had the Chiefs lost, they would have dropped to fourth in the standings.
Thompson finished with a goal and three assists and McBride had two goals and two helpers.
Trace Strahle chipped in with three assists.
Wyatt Galley made 28 saves for the victory.
The playoffs get underway on Friday and Saturday at the Langley Events Centre against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. Both games begin at 7 p.m.
Games three and four will be in Port Alberni on Monday and Tuesday.
If necessary, games five and seven are scheduled for Langley on Thursday and Saturday, with game six Friday back in Port Alberni.
The Chiefs won three out of four against the Bulldogs (24-29-4-3, 55 points) with the lone loss coming in overtime.
