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Langley Trappers winning streak ends at eight; Kodiaks have a rough December

Recent losses for crosstown rivals
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Trappers Forward Hayden Yahn, seen here during a previous game against the Kodiaks, scored twice in a losing cause on Dec. 3 as Langley’s winning streak was ended at eight, courtesy of Ridge Meadows Flames. (Langley Advance Times file)

Langley Trappers winning streak ended at eight on Friday, Dec. 3, a 5-3 defeat at the hands of Ridge Meadows Flames at Cam Neely Arena Planet Ice.

Hayden Yahn scored twice in a losing effort, as the Trappers could not catch up with the Flames, who took the lead early on, scoring twice in the first period and twice in the second before Langley scored, with goals by Lleyton Shearon and Yahn.

That reduced the Flames lead to 4-2, but in the third, Ridge Meadows scored again.

Yahn responded with his second goal for the Trappers, but it would be the last by either team.

It’s been a while since the Trappers lost a game.

The last time was Nov. 6, to PJHL league leader North Vancouver, after which the Langley team went on a tear, beginning with a 7-5 win over crosstown rivals Aldergrove Kodiaks, and going on to defeat Chilliwack, Port Moody, Ridge Meadows, Surrey and Abbotsford, some more than once.

READ ALSO: Crosstown battle sees Langley Trappers down Aldergrove Kodiaks

Next up, Trappers will host Mission on Wednesday, Dec. 8 at George Preston arena, and Abbotsford on Dec. 15.

Puck drop is 7 p.m. for both games.

Trappers lead the Harold Brittain conference, and are second in overall league standings to the North Vancouver Wolf Pack, while Kodiaks are fourth of seven teams in the conference and ninth in the league

READ ALSO: Aldergrove Kodiaks begin November with back-to-back wins

December did not start well for the Kodiaks, who were defeated by Ridge Meadows on home ice at the Aldergrove Credit Union Community Centre (ACUCC) arena.

Playing against the Flames, a team that is currently second in the Harold Brittain conference of the PJHL,Trevor Baron scored first for the Kodiaks late in the first period, with an assist from Mason Brown and Ryan Sullivan.

It would be the only Kodiaks marker. The next four were all Flames.

Baron was named third star of the game

On Friday, Dec. 3, Abbotsford Pilots downed Aldergrove 5-3 at MSA arena

It was a back-and-forth game, with the Pilots striking first, Jesse Jablonski with an assist by Denver Kitt.

Less than a minute later, Mason Brown replied for the Kodiaks, with Callum MacDonald and Linden Storebo assisting.

Late in the first, Pilots regained the lead off a goal by Asher Braski, with Hunter Brown and Dalton Edwards.

Braski then scored again, an unassisted marker just seconds into the secind period.

Less than three minutes later, Justin Ralph replied for Aldergrove, with Darian Tamas and Trevor Baron assisting.

Then, Monty Moreau scored what would prove to be the game winner for the Pilots, with Austin Moar and Owen Bylth.

With seconds remaining in the period, Carson Preston scored for Aldergrove on a power play after Pilots’ Braski went to the box for holding. Trevor Baron and Justin Ralph had the assist.

In the third, with Pilots mounting a power play after Kale Taylor was sent off for unsportsmanlike conduct, Kodiaks pulled their goaltender, which saw Pilots Monty Moreau get his second of the night, an empty net insurance marker to end the game.

Kodiaks GM Rick Harkins said the team needs to take fewer penalties to avoid being on the wrong side of a power play.

“When we play five-on-five, we can compete with any team in the league,” Harkins commented

“Our problem is, being young guys, when someone slashes you, and the referee doesn’t see it, you want to retaliate,” Harkins said.

“Then they [the referees] see the retaliation.”

Instead of responding in kind, he wants the players to focus on scoring.

“That’s how you retaliate, by putting a digit up on the board,” Harkins told the Langley Advance Times.

Up next, Kodiaks will take another run at Abbotsford Wednesday, Dec. 8 on home ice at ACUCC. Puck drops at 7:15 p.m.


Is there more to the story? Email: dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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Dan Ferguson

About the Author: Dan Ferguson

Best recognized for my resemblance to St. Nick, I’m the guy you’ll often see out at community events and happenings around town.
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