Special teams did in the Langley Rivermen in the team’s home opener.
The Rivermen allowed three power-play goals, plus another short-handed, as they fell 5-2 to the Surrey Eagles on Saturday night at the Langley Events Centre.
The Eagles other goal came into an empty net.
And while Surrey’s power play was clicking — it went 3-for-8 — the Rivermen managed just one man-advantage goal in their eight tries.
The Rivermen did win the season opener between the two junior A hockey clubs thanks to Mario Puskarich’s second goal of the game, during three-on-three overtime, to win 3-2.
Mike Tebbutt and Puskarich had scored power-play goals two minutes apart in the second period. 
Gary AHUJA/Langley Times
Langley Rivermen’s Mike Tebbutt screens Surrey Eagles goaltender Andrew Hunt during Saturday’s BCHL game at the Langley Events Centre.
Michael Stenerson responded with two power-play goals of his own for Surrey, including the equalizer during a two-man advantage with six minutes remaining.
Jim Kruger made 40 saves in the win and then another 30 in Saturday’s defeat.
Surrey never trailed in the back-end of the home-and-home series.
Linden Saip and Mitch Spooner scored in the opening period.
Puskarich got the Rivermen on the board, before Tyler Morley’s short-handed tally made it 3-1 after 40 minutes.
Surrey’s Robert Lindores and Langley’s Derek Sutliffe traded goals in the third before Lindores scored into the empty net.
The Rivermen are back in Surrey on Friday before heading to Powell River for a pair of games on Saturday and Sunday.
