If last week's home win wasn't impressive enough, the home crowd at Minoru Arena were certainly treated like royals last night with the offensive brilliance the Richmond Sockeyes demonstrated in their 8-1 win over the slumping North Delta Devils.
The win improves the high-flying Sockeyes to 4-0-0-1 on the season as they leapfrogged the Delta Ice Hawks in the standings to take sole possession of first place in the Tom Shaw Conference and the PJHL. The only loss suffered so far this season came to the hands of the same North Delta Devils, who are now riding a two game losing slide after dropping their last two games in as many nights.
Considering the Sockeyes had a full week off in preparation for the Devils, the team came out of the gate with a shaky start and the young Devils squad was able to sustain much of the early pressure. Half way through the period however, the tables turned as rookie Daniell Lange was able to squeak one past Devil goaltender Tyler Read's legs from an awkward angle in the corner. And just like that, the flood gates would open. Daniel Tait dazzled once again with a mind-melting individual effort splitting the Devils defense only to make goalie Read look just as out of place, deking and going top corner post and in. Then, on the power play, the dangerous line of Chichak-Tait-Allison prevailed again as Dean Allison ripped a beautiful slapshot from just inside the blueline right past Read. The 'Ru was well alive and so were the Sockeyes as they held a 3-0 lead at the end of the first.
In the early stages of the second period, the gas peddle really hit the floor, as coach Aaron Wilbur had his boys firing on all cylinders. Captain Sam Chichak would finish a nice little passing play by finding an empty net to improve the lead to four, and ultimately chase Read from his net. The Devils completed a goalie change by entering rookie Justin McClelland into the game. He only lasted a matter of minutes in the already exhausted North Delta Devil net as he would allowed three quick ones: Lange once again, call-up Liam Lawson with his first goal in the PJHL, and Tait with his second as well, on another dandy backhand shot placed top corner "where the spider knits his web." That was that - Tyler Read was brought back to relieve McClelland. The Devils were able to put one past the solid Kootenay Alder before the end of the period, but the damaged had been done and the Devils' fatigue was finally starting to show. The Sockeyes held a 7-1 lead.
In the third, the frustration from the Devils also grew eminent. The game started to get more physical as the Sockeyes tightened up on an already dominant defensive performance to close it out. The North Delta team could get nothing going but essentially get chippy and at other times a little too undisciplined. Chichak would pot another, barely putting the dagger in the coffin - this one was done long before the third period buzzer. With the 8-1 thrashing, the Richmond Sockeyes remain undefeated at home.
The Sockeyes now go on the road for one against Port Moody on Saturday, and return home to take on the Delta Ice Hawks next Thursday, which should be their biggest test so far this season.
Notable Absences
1. Ram Brar continued to nurse a right hand injury.
2. Bret Higham sat out with mild concussion symptoms.
3. Dominic Centis was a healthy scratch.
Three Stars
1. Dean Allison
2. Daniel Tait
3. Daniell Lange
Be sure to catch the next home game vs. Delta live from the 'Ru next Thursday, October 4th, on www.richmondsockeyes.com. Pre-game 7:20, puck drop 7:30 p.m.
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