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
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