Sockeyes win game two 6-2 (Series Tied 1-1)

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The Richmond Sockeyes got back to form in game two of the PIJHL playoffs against the North Vancouver Wolf Pack winning by a 6-2 score. The Sockeyes were led by the "Cardiac Kids" who potted three goals in the game and were backstopped by Kootenay Alder in net.


After the tough loss to the Wolf Pack in game one 4-3 the Sockeyes had to find a way to be more energized and play "Sockeye" hockey. They would have to do it though at the Harry Jerome Arena in North Van. They would do just that in the first period as the Sockeyes scored right of the bat, as Sam Chichak got the puck in front and kept hacking at the puck until it slid past Jordan Liem. The story of the last game was of course the goalie for the Pack Liem but in this one he didn't get off to the best start. 


Richmond kept pressing and shortly after the first goal they added another as Justin Rai got the puck off of a big rebound given up by Liem and fired it into the net for the 2-0 lead. Then came one of the stranger goals of the year for Richmond, as Justin Rai sent the puck to Carter Popoff, he tried to centre the puck back to an open Rai in front of the net but instead the puck would bounce off the shin pad of a Pack defender and it slid behind Liem for a 3-0 lead.


A scary scene happened with just 9.5 seconds left in the period as Marco Finucci in "Todd Bertuzzi" fashion, two-handed Dominic Centis in the back of the head with a cross-check rode him to the ice and started to put the helpless Centis. A brew-ha-ha ensued, and Finucci was ejected from the game with a match penalty and a checking to the head penalty. As he was leaving through the stands he started to argue with the Richmond fans who were there. Without a doubt he will be suspended but it is unclear of just how long.


The second period started with a long 5 minute major penalty that the Sockeyes took advantage of late in the penalty as Rai scored his second in the game and the 4-0 lead.


Then it seemed the Wolf Pack turned on their jets and came out flying. They would score two goals bang, bang, that Kootenay Alder would have certainly liked to have had back. Luke Tully was a big part of that comeback with a goal and an assist. The Pack nearly made it a 4-3 game as Spencer Quon had a wide open net but shot it over the net and the score remained 4-2. 


That would be all the Pack could muster though as Rudi Thorsteinson scored on an empty-net breakaway and then Dean Allison potted a "Gino From Deano" to seal the game with the 6-2 score. Kootenay Alder made big saves in net for Richmond while at the other end Jordan Liem let in five but still made some key saves for the Pack.


Game three will be in North Vancouver at the Harry Jerome Arena at 7:00. If you can't watch it be sure to tune in to SockeyesTV at www.richmondsockeyes.com