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BCHL  

Rivermen row past Warriors

For the first time in a month the West Kelowna Warriors failed to move up in the BC Hockey League standings.

Former Warrior Dante Hahn scored the game winner with 78 seconds left in regulation time Tuesday leading the Langley Rivermen to a 4-3 victory over the Warriors at Royal LePage Place.

The goal came two-and-a-half minutes after Brett Mennear banged home his own rebound to tie the game 3-3 and seemingly send it into overtime.

Such was not the case.

The Warriors had a chance to get the equalizer in the dying moments after Langley took a penalty with 1:07 to go in regulation time, however, the Warriors were unable to get the tying goal past the game's number one star Bo Didur.

Jason Cotton had the best chance with seconds left but his attempts to move past a Langley defender was blocked as time expired.

The Warriors controlled much of the play during a scoreless first period and were unlucky not to take a lead into the intermission.

Michael Buonicontri had the best chance to beat Didur, however, the puck rolled off his stick on a clean breakaway.

Both team had numerous chances to score during a wide open second period. Cotton got the Warriors on the board first just 67 second into the period when he jammed home a perfect centering pass from Warriors leading scorer Liam Blackburn.

They came close to making it 2-0 but Didur just got his shoulder on Greydon Robinson's shot from the high slot.

Langley scored twice in a four minute span past the midway mark of the second to take a 2-1 lead before Jonathan Desbiens tied it as he looked off pass on a two-on-one a wired a wrist shot short side from the left circle.

Langley restored the one goal lead early in the third when Ryan Coulter's shot from just inside the blueline found it's way through Andy Desautel's pads setting up the wild finish.

The Warriors had chances in the third but their struggling power-play failed to connect on three third period opportunities.

The power-play has netted just three goals in 35 opportunities over the past seven games.

"We had some looks tonight but I think we just have to worry about getting some shots through from the point," says head coach Rylan Ferster of the power-play.

"If we have to change some personnel then we'll do that too."

Ferster agreed the Warriors played much better in a losing effort Tuesday than they did in a 3-2 overtime win over Victoria on Saturday.

"Well that's where the hockey gods come in. I don't know if we deserved to win that game on Saturday but  we win it," says Ferster.

"Tonight we played pretty good...did we deserve to win, I don't know but we certainly played a heck of a lot better tonight."

Ferster says he can't fault the effort Tuesday.

The Warriors will try to get back into the win column Friday when they host division rival Vernon.

The last times the two teams met at RLP the Vipers brat the Warriors 7-4 in a game that featured a game ending brawl.

The teams combined for 147 minutes in penalties and 11 game misconducts at games end.

The league also handed out 30 games in suspensions, 19 to the Vipers and 11 to the Warriors.



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