Captain Kevan Kilistoff scored on an overtime power play to help the Langley Rivermen snap a four-game losing streak and take one step closer to securing home-ice advantage for the first round of the BCHL playoffs.
“That’s a big win for us,” Kilistoff said.
“We made the fans sweat a little bit but it’s nice to get this monkey off our back.”
The Rivermen were hosting the Prince George Spruce Kings on Feb. 19 at the Langley Events Centre.
Langley (28-22-1-4, 61 points) and Prince George (26-22-1-6, 59 points) are currently battling for second place in the BCHL’s Mainland Division with the Rivermen leading by two points with three games to play. Prince George has just two games remaining, both of which are against Langley.
The two teams are heading towards a first-round playoff showdown.
Langley came out of the gates flying scoring twice in the opening 7:12 with Marcus Vela and Jordan Schneider each getting a puck past Prince George keeper Alex Brooks-Potts.
The team may have been inspired by NHL legend Phil Esposito, who was at the LEC thanks to Pastime Sports and Games. He was there signing autographs as part of fan appreciation night and Esposito gave the Rivermen a pep talk prior to puck drop.
“That was our most complete effort in a while,” said Langley assistant coach Kurt Astle.
“We still need to clean up some areas but I was happy with the guys.”
The Spruce Kings’ Adam Clements cut the lead to 2-1 before the break and neither team found the back of the net in the second.
Matt Barberis, one of two affiliate players on the blue-line for the Rivermen extended the lead to 3-1 as he wired one in from just inside the blue-line on a Langley power play.
But 83 seconds later, Prince George’s Daniel Nachbaur made it 3-2 and then nine minutes later, Cole McCaskill got the Spruce Kings on even terms.
With the teams playing for the extra point — and Langley enjoying a power play —it was all Langley in overtime as the Rivermen out-shot Prince George 5-0 with Kilistoff notching the winner.
Langley’s Alec Capstick also suited up for the Rivermen as an affiliate player, registering a first-period assist. Barberis finished with a goal and an assist on the overtime winner.
The Rivermen also played the night before in Chilliwack against the Chiefs.
The Chiefs jumped out to a 4-1 first-period lead and then held off a frantic Langley rally for the 6-5 win.
The victory clinched first place in the Mainland Division for the Chiefs.
Charlie Pelnik, Matthew Graham, Vela and Hunter Anderson had the Langley goals.
The Rivermen play their regular season home finale on Tuesday against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks at the LEC.
The team then closes the regular season with a pair of games in Prince George on Feb. 27 and 28.
Jenna Hauck/Black Press
Langley Rivermen’s Matthew Graham just gets the puck past Chilliwack Chiefs’ goalie David Jacobson during the Chiefs’ 6-5 victory on Feb. 18.
