Quick start leads to 5-1 victory

                      VS.             



Coming off of a 75 shot, 4-3 shootout victory in Aldergrove last night, the Sockeyes continued their strong play defeating Mission 5-1. Powerplay goals were in full force as well with Richmond scoring on 3 of their 9 opportunities. 


Inside the Minoru Arena they installed a brand new gorgeous scoreboard. Crystal clear displays for goals, penalties, shots and time. But just 11 seconds into the game it was used. Connor Wilson was able to fire a puck towards the net, as the puck bounced of Michael Barr's shoulder and into the air it dropped down behind him. Wiebe was able to poke the puck to Drew Spencer who tapped it in for his 14th goal of the season. Kicking things off with the earliest goal scored by the Sockeyes all year. But just four minutes later and after a Sockeyes penalty kill ended, Travis Park was able to walk the line and send a hard shot on net that slipped past Aaron Oakley. 


With the game tied the Icebreakers turned up the heat generating a large part of the offence. They could not capitalize however as the Sockeyes powerplay would come alive at the 12:41 mark of the first period. Roder fired a puck on net and the rebound went straight to Jeremy Hamaguchi who would put the Sockeyes up 2-1. Exactly five minutes later captain Patrick Hunter showed great poise calling for the puck at the red line, he skated in gingerly waiting for his teammates. He would fire the puck on Michael Barr, the puck got caught in his pads and poked it through for a 3-1 lead. Before the period was out they would net another powerplay goal, this time Sebastien Pare would add his 15th goal and team leading 46th point. He worked the puck down low with Keenan Webb until Pare found an opening and wired it low on Barr.


Coming into the second period the Sockeyes had a big 4-1 lead and were in total control, but Mission didn't show any quit, registering twelve shots in the period to Richmond's ten. The only goal of the period was scored by Jake Roder, his team leading 23rd goal, with a shot off the wing. 


The third period was played mostly inside the Sockeyes zone, despite getting two powerplay opportunities the home town team couldn't outshoot the Icebreakers, this was only the third time all year they haven't had more rubber on net. Getting outshot 37-34 in this game, but coming away with a 5-1 victory. 


The win moves Richmond back into first place in the Tom Shaw Conference with the same amount of games played. Delta and Richmond have been battling for first place for month's now and the final 7 games should show how great these two teams can be. They play each other just once more this season, a February 15th date at the Ladner Leisure Centre.


The next Sockeyes game is at home to the Aldergrove Kodiaks, at 7:30 from the Minoru Arena. Be sure to tune in to SockeyesTV for live streamed games. www.richmondsockeyes.com