Special teams see SFU drop tight decision to BCHL's Langley Rivermen

A trio of power-play goals allowed and an 0-for-6 night with the man advantage gave Simon Fraser University little chance for success on Saturday night in a 3-2 loss to the British Columbia Hockey League's Langley Rivermen on home ice at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre.

The newly-minted Rivermen -- known previously as the Chiefs -- before an offseason ownership change -- opened the scoring a man up late in the first period. The goal came off the stick of Mike Tebbutt, who sent the puck past a sprawling Graeme Gordon after a Ryan Bakken point shot had slammed off the end boards and back into the crease.

Tebbutt later scored his second of the night midway through the second when he slammed the puck over Gordon during a scrum to the left of the SFU goaltender's crease.

Meanwhile, the SFU power-play looked a constant work in progress, with communication  and shots on goal a constant struggle. But the Clan did get on the scoreboard in the third period, as Trevor Milner broke in on a partial breakaway and beat Rivermen netminder Jim Kruger with a forhand deke. And the home team was even minutes later, as blueliner David Dotan converted on a 2-on-1 past Kruger.

But Langley made the most of their opportunities on the night, and with Taylor Swaffield out of the game on a checking from behind call, Rivermen captain Darnell Dyck netted his team's third power-play marker of the night to regain the lead.

A four-minute butt ending penalty to Tebbutt late in the third gave SFU ample chances to send the game into overtime, but the Clan came up short once again with the man advantage.

Kruger picked up the win in net for Langley with a 23-save effort while Gordon was outstanding in a losing cause, turning aside 29 shots.