Sockeyes season ends as Delta wins series 4-2

 

The 2011/2012 Richmond Sockeyes playoff run came to a screeching halt at the Ladner Leisure Centre in game six of the Tom Shaw Conference Finals. The Sockeyes could not win in Delta to force a game seven versus the Ice Hawks. A bitter end to some great Junior B hockey careers as Patrick Hunter, Michael Ball, Clayton Wright, Keenan Webb, Tyler Klassen and Dylan Smith who are all twenty years old have played their last PIJHL game.

This was a tough fought series from games one to six and a huge congratulations to the Delta Ice Hawks on heading to their second PIJHL finals in three years.

Game six showed that the Richmond Sockeyes are a team with a lot of heart and a lot of tenacity. After going down two goals to nothing in the early stages of the first period, they didn't show quit. The tried to battle back all game facing adversity, even facing a full two minute five on three against them. Connor Wilson brought the game to within one goal at a 2-1 score in the third period. But it wasn't enough as the Sockeyes had a ridiculous amount of chances in front but much like the entire series they just couldn't capitalize on their opportunities.

This is a tough pill to swallow for the Richmond Sockeyes organization as they were expected to go far in the playoffs especially after one of the best PIJHL regular seasons ever, only losing seven games. but it would be when it counted that the Sockeyes couldn't get it done as they lost six of their last twelve games playing .500 hockey in the final twelve.

The top two lines struggled for Richmond in their final three games which is why the Ice Hawks went on to win the series, one guy who seemed snake bit all series long was Rudi Thorsteinson as he had a number of great scoring opportunities but couldn't bury them.

All in all though the season was a success for many including Carter Popoff who signed with the WHL's Vancouver Giants, Justin Rai and Kevan Kilistoff will be playing Junior A hockey next year. Jonah Imoo is being scouted by a number of different WHL teams. The Sockeyes model has always been to grow playing to take that next step and that is just what they have done.

A couple of huge losses that the Richmond Sockeyes organization will suffer is that of Head Coach Judd Lambert and trainer Rocky Gardiner. Lambert will now retire after an unbelievable run with the Richmond Sockeyes where he never lost more than 9 games in any season. Truly unbelievable and a stand up guy who will be greatly missed by the organization, the players, the broadcast team and fans. Rocky Gardiner will be retiring from the Sockeyes organization after 30 + years of service through various means for the team. There are not many people who are at the rink before Rocky and there aren't ever anyone who is left after they leave the rink. He along with his son Jeremy Gardiner put in hard work that goes way beyond the normal means of hockey. To these two guys we want to say the utmost thanks and appreciation for all the hard work. Enjoy the free time.

The Sockeyes will now have to wait until the 2012/2013 season to try to get back to the glory days that they saw last year winning the PIJHL championship, and three years ago winning the PIJHL Championship, the Cyclone Taylor Cup and the Keystone National Championship.

Next year we know the Sockeyes will be ready for greatness and for everyone that played for the Sockeyes this year we ant to wish them all luck over the summer and hope everyone has a safe and amazing break.

For all of the volunteers who put in hundreds of hours of time to make this organization run so smoothly we want to thank you all for your hard work and dedication.

So long for the rest of the year, be sure to keep track of the 2012 Cyclone Taylor Cup which is being hosted by the Abbotsford Pilots.

Cheers

Delta dominates Sockeyes at Minoru(Ice Hawks lead series 3-2)

              VS.                 

After two punishing losses to the Delta Ice Hawks at the Minoru Arena in games four and five, the Richmond Sockeyes are just one game away from prematurely ending their 2012 playoff push. Delta now leads the series three games to two in this best of seven, with game six scheduled for Sunday at 7:30 at the Ladner Leisure Centre in Delta.


The Richmond Sockeyes laid two eggs in games four and five to the Delta Ice Hawks as they lost 5-1 on Thursday and 6-3 on Friday to go down in the series. 


The Sockeyes had probably one of their worst games of the season on Thursday as they didn't look into the game or energized at all. Meanwhile the Delta Ice Hawks managed to scored five goals on Kootenay Alder including two short handed goals and one power play goal to finish the night.


The next game was just a day later as the Sockeyes looked to bounce back. They did a better job at the start opening the games scoring, but the Hawks quickly scored two goals to get a 2-1 lead. Before the period was out Ryan Cooper tied the game. 


The third period was all Delta though as they scored four goals en route to beating the Sockeyes 6-3 thumping. Kootenay Alder was in goal for all six goals as well. 


The big difference has been the scoring for Delta, especially off the stick of Cody Fidgett as he has scored six goals in the past three goals to lead his team in playoff scoring.


Richmond now for the first time since March 13th 2011 the Sockeyes will face an elimination game, that was of course a 3-2 game seven win for Richmond in the Tom Shaw Conference finals.


Be sure to head out to the Ladner Leisure Centre to cheer on the boys as they try to bring the series back to game seven at Minoru Arena. Game six is at 7:30 at the Ladner Leisure Centre just off the highway. If there is a game seven it will be Monday at 7:30 in Richmond.  If game seven goes you can catch it on SockeyesTV at www.richmondsockeyes.com

Sockeyes bounce back with 6-2 win (Sockeyes Lead Series 2-1)

              @                 

After suffering a tough 3-2 double Overtime Loss to the Ice Hawks on Sunday, the Richmond Sockeyes played a much better game defeating the Ice Hawks 6-2 in game three. Richmond had six different goals scorers in the game at Michael Ball, Kyzen Loo, Rudi Thorsteinson, Jeremy Hamaguchi, Dominic Centis and Dean Allison all scored a goal to lead the Sockeyes to a 2-1 series lead.


The first period started off very well for Richmond,who were playing without Justin Rai and Justin Lachance because of injuries. Michael Ball got the puck at the point and came in to the top of the faceoff circle and he ripped the shot past Glenn Ferguson to open the scoring with a 1-0 lead. The next goal came for the Sockeyes as Kyzen Loo was sprung on a break away and he dangled the puck past the goalie for a 2-0 lead after twenty minutes of hockey. The Sockeyes when scoring first in a game have only lost a couple games all year.


Only one goal came in the second period and it was a beautiful top shelf goal for Rudi Thorsteinson scoring his eight goal of the playoffs. Richmond was playing a much more relaxed and confident game against the Ice Hawks on this night.


The third period once again started off well for Richmond as Jeremy Hamaguchi got his eight goal of the playoffs as well beating Ferguson for a 4-0 lead. Delta Ice Hawks first goal came from Cody Fidgett making things a little bit closer with 13 minutes left in the game.


Dominic Centis would score the goal of the game as he took the puck from one end to the other dangled around a Ice Hawks defender and then beat Ferguson for his first ever PIJHL playoff goal and it was a beauty. 


Ice Hawks forward Cody Fidgett quickly answered back with another goal of his own, a beautiful deke to get around a defender and Alder for his second of the game. The game would be put on ice though, as Dean Allsion scored a #ginofromdeano at 9:50 of the third period for a 6-2 victory.


This was a big bounce back game after the tough 3-2 loss in the final two minutes of the second overtime at Harry Jarome. Kootenay Alder played well in net for Richmond preserving a shutout until the third period. 


Next game in a home game for Richmond as game four of the Tom Shaw Conference final will go at Minoru Arena at 7:30 this Thursday at 7:30. If you can't make it be sure to watch online on SockeyesTV www.richmondsockeyes.com