Sockeyes thrill the 'Ru again, scare off Wolf Pack 6-5

For the second week in a row, the Richmond Sockeyes came out victorious in a barn burning thriller on home ice. Last week it was Hamaguchi's heroics in overtime against Abbotsford, and this past Thursday it was a 6-5 triumph over the North Vancouver Wolf Pack.

Coming into the game, the Sockeyes were riding a four game win streak, as their confidence certainly seemed as strong as it has been all season after knocking off the high-octane Pilots and Delta Ice Hawks in that four game stretch. Thursday night posed a much less fiery matchup on paper - the North Vancouver Wolf Pack stood in third in the Tom Shaw Conference, but weren't hanging on by much as North Delta and Grandview were nipping at their heels in the standings.

One thing all the papers and stats in the world don't tell however, is just how fierce the hate is that stands between the two teams who are very familiar with one another. Last year the Sockeyes beat the Wolf Pack 4-1 in the playoff conference semi-finals, and in the only other game the two teams have met this year one player on each team received game misconducts when all was said and done in the 3-1 Sockeyes win. Thursday night at the 'Ru proved to tell a very similar tale.

In the first period, Richmond came out playing a style of hockey that has become a bit of a trend at home through the first stages of the game - slow. North Vancouver quickly had the edge as they potted two past goalie Payton Lee to take a 2-0 lead. Finally, midway through the first frame, the Sockeyes found the grit and determination that defines them so well and were able to fight back with three consecutive goals of their own. The first came from Stephen Campbell on a beautiful wrap-around effort that really sparked the boys. Dylan Friel continued carried on with altering the momentum by netting one of his own, and then Danton Heinen on the powerplay solidified Richmond's resilient authority. The score stood 3-2 Richmond at the end of the first, although North Vancouver lead the shot count 13-10.

If it was being called like a boxing match and the first round went to Richmond, then the second definitely went to North Vancouver. After feeling as disheartened as they did considering how well they started, the Wolf Pack came all out blitzing in the second period with some new found energy. They quickly re-established their lead by again scoring two quick, consecutive goals - both from the stick of Marcus Houck - putting them up 4-3 and chasing Lee from his net as he got replaced by Kootenay Alder off the bench. But as much as they tried to create separation from the feisty Sockeyes team, Richmond stayed close enough to strike once more before the end of the period. This time it came off the stick of Jordan "Honky Tonk" Andrews, for his first career PJHL goal. 4-4 read the scoreboard at the end of the second, and the way the intensity lingered strongly around the entire arena, there was no chance it was ending that way.

Well, four minutes into the third, and Matt Wagner was the first to answer the bell with his first of the season on a slapper from the point that just beat rookie goalie Anders Ten Vaanholt over the glove. But, hey, the trend of the night was tied scores, and star Wolf Pack forward Spencer Quon quickly kept  it going by providing the game's third tied score of the night at 5-5. By then, the intensity hadn't only reached its peak in terms of goal scoring, but in physicality as well. Both teams were getting chippy and chirpy at any opportunity, as the tight chess match continued to find that last decisive goal. Then, almost on a play that came out of nowhere, Heinen found himself in the slot and unloaded a wrister that just got under the arm of Ten Vaanholt. With a quick tap from Daniell Lange in the crease, the puck was buried and the Sockeyes found themselves again one up on the Wolf Pack, 6-5. The third round clearly went in Richmond's favour as they outshot North Vancouver 13-2 in the final frame and were able to hold on for the excitable W.

What first seemed like a mediocre matchup on paper turned out to be a fantastic hockey game that again, gave Richmond more quality experience in a playoff game-like atmosphere. The team extended its winning streak to five and more importantly, continues to function like a very well oiled machine.


Brief Game Notes:
1. Sockeyes: 1/6 on powerplay
2. Final shot count: 28-25 for Sockeyes

Scratches:
1. Rudi Thorsteinson

Three Stars:
1. Stephen Campbell
2. Spencer Quon
3. Dylan Friel


Be sure to catch the next home game vs. Aldergrove live from the 'Ru next Thursday, October 25th, on www.richmondsockeyes.com. Pre-game 7:20, puck drop 7:30 p.m.