The Prince George Spruce Kings knew it wasn't going to be easy playing away from home to open the B.C. Hockey League playoffs.
The Langley Rivermen made that perfectly clear Wednesday night in Langley.
The Rivermen scored three times in the second period to take control and never looked back, defeating the Spruce Kings 4-2 to even the best-of-seven BCHL Mainland Division semifinal series at a game apiece.
Ben Butcher, Matthew Graham, Hunter Anderson and Kevan Klistoff, into an empty net, took care of the scoring for the Rivermen. Michael Buonincontri and Viktor Dombrovskiy were the Spruce Kings marksmen.
Down 3-1 in the third period, the Spruce Kings closed the gap 4:18 into the third period. Former Rivermen defencemen Dombrovskiy fired a high shot that rippled the net behind Bo Didur. But that was as close as it got.
Games 3 and 4 of the best-of-seven BCHL Mainland Division semifinal are set for Friday and Saturday at the Coliseum. The winner of the series will advance to the division final against the winner of the Chilliwack Chiefs-Coquitlam Express series. Chilliwack defeated the Express 6-2 Wednesday to take a 2-0 series lead.
The Spruce Kings struck first 14:50 into the game, the only goal of the first period. Buonincontri hooked up with linemates Chad Staley and Jeremiah Luedtke to beat Didur.
After being outshot 7-0 to start the second period, the Rivermen responded with two power-play goals to take the lead. Butcher got the equalizer, deflecting in William Campion's shot from the point at the 8:16 mark, and Graham scored again less than two minutes later to put Langley ahead 2-1.
The Rivermen doubled the lead late in the period at even strength. Marcus Vela won a draw in the Prince George end and Anderson tipped in a shot from Jordan Schneider.
Didur made 24 saves to earn his first win of the 2015 playoffs. Jenks made 28 saves, drawing his second consecutive start.
In Game 1 Tuesday, also in Langley, forward Daniel Nachbaur scored with 66 seconds left on the clock to lift the Spruce Kings to a 1-0 victory over the Rivermen. Jenks made 34 saves to record the shutout.
