A lot of first’s tonight, the Langley Rivermen’s first visit to Powell River as the new Langley franchise, Jarryd Leung’s first BCHL goal, Jamie Phillips first BCHL shutout, Carter Shinkarek’s first of the season and the first time the Kings hadn’t scored in the first period were the storylines of a big 5-0 win by the Kings over the Langley Rivermen
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The Langley Rivermen’s first trip to the Sunshine Coast was an enthralling, interesting and fascinating affair that changed in flow and intensity as often as the puck changed possession. Through 20 minutes of play, both teams were locked in a tight contest with chances both ways. Shots were 9-6 in favour of the Rivermen. In the 2nd, the Kings dominated on the shot chart, but had very little to show for it, until Jarryd Leung got a loose puck in the slot, and got enough for it to trickle over the goal line for his first in Junior A, and giving the Kings the lead 1-0 heading into the change, shots on goal 25-9 after 40 minutes.
One point to note here, rookie Langley goaltender James Barr, making his debut tonight against the Kings was nothing short of phenomonal through 40 minutes. He made a spectacular save to rob Teagan Waugh by getting a glove on a puck he had no business getting to. This game was easily 3-0 going into 40 if not for Barr.
In the 3rd, the floodgates opened. 2 minutes in, Steve Schmidt found a loose puck to the side of the net and banged it home, Cohen Adair getting on the scoresheet once again with an assist. 6 minutes later, Adair scored his 6th of the year when he took a puck through the neutral zone and got a decent wrist shot on Barr, which had enough strength to get through the young netminder, 3-0 Kings. Then as the Adair goal is being announced, Carter Shinkarek took advantage of a defensive blunder by the Rivermen to make it 4-0. Both goals were unassisted.
At 12:50 of the 3rd, Tanner Cochrane and Jackson Playfair dropped the gloves in an extended tilt, then continued their verbal fight to the penalty boxes. Both were eventually (after some initial confusion) ejected with game misconducts. Finally Teagan Waugh displayed his blistering speed down the right wing, beating his man on the outside and going 5-hole on Barr to cap of parent’s night in style. 5-0 Kings, Jamie Phillips with a 15- save shutout and 5 different goal scorers.
The Game As I Saw It:
- I loved the energy in the 2nd period. After the opening 20 minutes of play where it was basically a stalemate, the Kings came out and just dominated the 2nd period. All of the Langley opportunities were steered to the side and the Kings were quicker on the puck and were rewarded with Leung’s goal
- I said it earlier, I’ll say it again. James Barr played out of his skin through 40 minutes. The final score won’t show it, but he was Langley’s best player. If you can be a goalie and play a good 5-0 loss, this was it. Both Schmidt and and Leung’s goals were scrambles in front after Barr made the 1st, 2nd and sometimes 3rd save. Adair’s wrister was one that Barr should of stopped, and he knows it. The 4th goal was a defensive turnover and not Barr’s fault and Teagan Waugh’s 5th was just a good play by Teagan. Langley should be very happy with Barr tonight and had the score been 2-0 or 3-0, he would have been one of the stars.
- The Kings counter attack was much better, and too many times Langley allowed a Kings defenceman (usually Jutzi or Williams) to skate freely through the neutral zone and make it to the half boards before being pressured. That has to change for tomorrow.
Three-Stars of the Game:
- Jarryd Leung (Kings) – 1 goal (1st BCHL goal)
- Jamie Phillips (Kings) – 15 saves (1st BCHL shutout)
- Carter Shinkarek (Kings) – 1 goal (1st goal this season)
Game Photos (courtesy: Alicia Bass)
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Same two teams go tomorrow at 1:30 in a Sunday afternoon matinee. Come to the game and cheer on the boys, or listen live on 95.7 SunFm beginning at 1:15.
See you at the Hap!!!
