Hockey
Rivermen Win Close Contest
The Rivermen play host to the Cowichan Valley Caps in a game that means “tons” to the local boys, but probably more to the Caps.
Fro a complex that seats over 5,000, the fan base for this game was very sparse with (a guess) no more than 350 on hand.
With the return of Bo Didur to the line-up following his return from the U17 camp he is extremely focused on his play between the pipes, which apparently is a concern.
Didur has played 20 games and sits with a current record of 10-9 record with a GA of 49 and a GAA of 2.67.
With a SV% of 0.922 he sits 7th in league leading goalies well behind Brendan Barry of Penticton with a GAA of 1.59.
When you look at the league standings Cowichan (entering this game) sits with 19 points which is 8 more than struggling Surrey who have fallen from grace and sit with 11.
This game however saw Langley fall into penalty problems giving up the first goal in the game at 13:59 of the first on a PP, with Langley being two players down.
The Caps dressed former Rivermen player Darien Craighead who was moved to make way for
Play in the first was chippy in both ends of the ice, with the Caps getting the better chances.
After being down 8-1 in the shot department they finished the period being outshot by a narrow margin of 11-9.
Both goals in the first for the Caps were clean cross-crease passes with the defence either leaving or forgetting about the attacking forwards.
The Rivermen did manage to get one goal with 13 seconds remaining in the period off a shot that Zentner would like to have over as it snuck in low on the stick side.
The second saw the Rivermen get a “new lease on life” with they started with more jump in all areas of the ice, managing two goals in the first 10 minutes of play.
The first goal came 21 second in off the stick of Kearley followed a short time later (9:35) taking a pass from behind the net to Kehler.
The third saw an exceptional chance when the Caps were on a breakaway and being hooked on the arm causing him to lose possession of the puck. No call on the play!
Overall the game itself was well played by both teams, just far too many undisciplined penalties taken which proved costly in the end.
The BCHL schedule has Cowichan travelling to Prince George following the game for a game less than 24 hours later only to have the Sunday off where they can return home.
They don’t play again until the Tuesday following their return to the Island where they take on Victoria.
The Rivermen play Sunday in Surrey against the cellar dweller the Eagles who are having a struggle in all areas of the ice, but it’s close to trading deadline.
With trading deadline around the corner, this is the time of the season that 20 year old’s ponder what the future holds for them.
Teams that are looking at making a play off run might look at adding either first power or depth to the roster, which naturally involves a move of some short.
What that is, is a question that only team Management can divulge, but quite possibly they have not set this in stone as of yet.
Friday’s game saw the Rivermen narrowly defeat Cowichan Valley by a 3-2 margin only to play at home the next night (Saturday) against the Surrey Eagles, which saw them pull off a 6-2 win.
Cowichan Valley travelled to Prince George following the game Friday and managed to rebound pulling off a 5-1 win, which would make the road trip home much more enjoyable.
The Capitals jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after one and never looked back, playing much more disciplined hockey in all areas of the ice.
The Capitals next game is against Victoria Grizzlies on Tuesday.