Borrowing from the title of the Kinks' tune: where have all the good times gone?

The Langley Rivermen were asking themselves that question Wednesday morning after suffering a 7-3 beating at the hands of the Surrey Eagles the night before.

Adding to the misery is the fact the Eagles routed the 'Men at the Langley Events Centre.

The Rivermen now find themselves on a downward slide.

They are winless in four.

The 'Men's last victory came back on Nov. 10, when they doubled the Coquitlam Express 4-2 at the LEC.

Rust could have been a factor, with the Rivermen coming off an eight-day break.

It didn't look that way early on, however.

The Rivermen got out to a fast start as their leading scorer Mario Puskarich fired home his 14th of the season just 22 seconds into the game.

The goal was created by some hard work down low from James Robinson, who did not stop digging behind the Surrey goal and found Evan Campbell, who then put the puck on the tape of Puskarich who made no mistake ripping a shot five hole on Surrey netminder Michael Santaguida.

Unfortunately for the 'Men, they took a penalty a few minutes later and got burned on a Surrey power-play on a beautiful shot by Craig Wyszomirski.

The score stayed deadlocked as Langley goaltender James Barr was great for the rest of the period and made key stops on two more Surrey powerplays.

With time running out in the opening period, Langley's Mitch McLain spotted a loose puck in front

of the Surrey goal and backhanded it in to give his team a 2-1 lead. McLain's sixth goal of the season was a big late tally for the Rivermen heading into the intermission.

However, the Eagles, in particular 20-year-old forward especially Brady Shaw, dominated the second period. Shaw notched two goals and two assists in a nine minute span to give his team a 5-2 lead after 40 minutes.

The fourth Surrey goal spelled the end to Barr's night as he was yanked in favour of Darren Hogg.

Shaw and Drew Best had a memorable middle period, combining for seven points.

With the Rivermen in a big hole in the third frame, Campbell got his team back on track with a great goal once again started by Robinson at the 5: 22 mark.

Robinson stole the puck in the Surrey end and spotted a wide-open Campbell who rifled home a shot glove side to cut the Eagles' lead to two goals.

That was all the Rivermen would muster in the final period as the Eagles got goals from Shaw and Burzan to close out the game.

The Eagles now lead the season series three wins to one. Shaw finished with three goals and two assists, while Best had a goal and four helpers.

Santaguida picked up his 11th win of the season, while Barr was charged with the loss, facing 22 shots.

The Rivermen fell to 9-110-4 with the loss, and occupy fifth place in the B.C. Hockey League's Mainland Division.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN. AGAIN. AND AGAIN

Prior to Tuesday's game, the Rivermen completed a three-game Island road trip.

They return to the road for their next four outings, starting Saturday in Port Alberni against the Bulldogs, followed by a Sunday afternoon game versus Victoria at Victoria's Bear Mountain Arena.

Next Friday, Dec. 8, the Rivermen travel to Trail to play the Smoke Eaters, then head to Penticton Saturday for a date with the Vees.

sports@langleyadvance.com