Sunday, November 25, 2012

Hamaguchi thrills in OT again, Sockeyes stump Devils 3-2

For the second time this season, by the same score, Jeremy Hamaguchi delivered electrifying heroics in overtime at the 'Ru and the Richmond Sockeyes claimed a big "W" to extend their winning streak to three.

The first 3-2 overtime victory came on October 11th over the Abbotsford Pilots, while this past Thursday, the punch was landed on the conference opponent North Delta Devils, who were starting to come on hot in the standings. Also notably in the standings, the Delta Ice Hawks were riding a two-game losing slide - a great little window of opportunity for the Sockeyes to makeup some ground for top spot in the Tom Shaw Conference and overall PJHL.

Well, that's exactly what the Sockeyes did - and with no lack in dramatic fashion to put the cherry on top.

The first period was lackluster at best. Both teams struggled to find clean, clear cut offensive opportunities and establish an edge over the other team. Although the Sockeyes managed to outshoot the Devils 13-3 in the first period, with the full week Richmond had in preparation for Thursday night's tilt, it certainly appeared the team wasn't firing on all cylinders early. The first frame ended 0-0.

In the second, the hockey game started to find its life. About midway through the period, on a mad scramble in front of Devils goalie Steve Myland, Danton Heinen was able to pop it into the back of the net to make it 1-0 Sockeyes, as the young rookie forward continues to shine. Then, only 18 seconds later, the North Delta Devils snatched the goal right back as Colin Catchpole was able to break in on the wing and beat Kootenay Alder five hole on a harmless-looking shot. Just like that, the game had picked up tremendously in pace, but the result would remain the same through the entire period - a tie.

In the third period, the trend continued - again the game would feel the tie break, but only for a brief moment. This time it was the Devils who jumped out to the lead with a quick tally just over one minute and a half into the period, but it didn't take long for the Sockeyes to respond. Just over two minutes after the Devils made it 2-1, Jeremy Hamaguchi slotted one past Myland on the powerplay to knot it back up at two's. The rest of the period would go back and forth, but neither team could find that last, late decisive goal to punch their way to victory in regulation time.

In the first overtime period of four-on-four nothing would change and the game would reach its last stage - three-on-three. Then, with Daniel Tait coming off the bench with fresh legs, paired with Hamaguchi and Matt Wagner on the point, the stage was set. Off the draw in the offensive end, Tait picked up the puck and wheeled all the way around into the corner, creating the perfect amount of space and separation to find Hamaguchi at the side of the net with a perfect pass. Guch would make no mistake and barry it top shelf, right where all the the leftover Halloween candy is stashed. 3-2 Sockeyes  in overtime. Hamaguchi the hero, on an absolutely brilliant passing effort from Daniel Tait. What a finish, as the Sockeyes extend their win streak to three.


Brief Game Notes:
1. Sockeyes: 1/2 on the powerplay
2. Final shot count: 36-20 for Sockeyes
3. Second time this season Richmond wins 3-2 in overtime on home ice with Hamaguchi winner

Scratches:
1. Dylan Friel
2. Dominic Centis
3. Adam Nishi

Three Stars:
1. Jeremy Hamaguchi
2. Danton Heinen
3. Colin Catchpole


Be sure to catch the next home game vs. Grandview live from the 'Ru next Thrusday, November 28th, on www.richmondsockeyes.com. Pre-game 7:20, puck drop 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Sockeyes Extinguish the Flames 8-1

The Sockeyes finally got off to a desired quick start, never eased off the accelerator, as they beat the Ridge Meadows Flames 8-1 Thursday night.

The first goal came just 1:34 in when Bret Higham showed he does have a bit of scoring prowess. Higham, who usually puts his name on the score sheet under the PIMs, received a beautiful feed from rookie Lawson and did not miss. Dan Heinen stood out as the best Sockeye in the first period - he did that by putting home two goals in the first ten minutes. Heinen narrowly missed a natural hat-trick as he had a glorious chance from the slot that went just high and wide of the net. Regardless, the home side put 3 goals on 21 shots on the board after the first.

Travis Oddy and the Flames wouldn't take long to answer in the second. Oddy, scored a beautiful goal from a feed by teammate Marco Ballarin.Stephen Campbell would bring Richmond's reaction just a minute later. The top line of Allison, Tait and Chichak didn't fall behind as they would take part in the next two tallies. Richmond took a 6-1 lead to the locker room after 2.

Lawson and Tait would add goals in the third. The home side showed a full team effort, as all four forward lines got a into the scoring. Kootenay Alder only faced 20 shots, but was very sharp when he needed to be. From start to finish it was Sockeyes dominance. The next game goes on Thursday at the 'Ru. Face-off is at 7:30.


Scratches:
1. Adam Nishi


Three Stars:
1. Dan Heinen
2. Daniel Tait
3. Bret Higham


Sunday, November 11, 2012

Bittersweet night at the 'Ru: Sockeyes fall to Delta, honour alumni

On a night where players who once wore Sockeyes sweaters in the past were honoured, it was the ones on the ice that felt the tough feeling of defeat.

Thursday was a special night at the 'Ru, as Sockeyes alumni piled into the arena to celebrate the 40th anniversary year of the great hockey club. What made it even more special - the Delta Ice Hawks were in town for the latest installment of their rich rivalry - one that has certainly transcended through Sockeyes history.

For the second time this season, the Sockeyes were held scoreless on home ice against the Ice Hawks in a tight 3-0 loss. Coming into the game, Richmond was six points back of Delta for top spot in the Tom Shaw Conference and PJHL, desperate to make up some ground on the rolling Ice Hawks who were riding a 8-0-1-0 streak without a loss.

The first and second periods were very much alike - they finished the way they started, tied at 0-0, and saw both teams fighting to establish a clear edge or momentum swing over the other. Both sides battled relentlessly trying to sustain pressure on one another in the offensive zones, but overall the game had a hard time finding a steady pace due to the myriad of blown whistles. Whether it was an icing, an offside, a puck out of play, or a penalty being called, each whistle stifled the fluidity of the game and resulted in much of the play occuring in neutral ice territory. At the end of the first period, Richmond outshot Delta 10-7, but much like was the back-and-forth trend, Delta came back in the second to outshoot the Sockeyes 11-5.

The third period was poised to be an absolute thriller - the main act of the night. The building was buzzing and tense, giving it the feel of a playoff game on the verge of busting out at the seams. Unfortunately for the Sockeyes, it was the Ice Hawks who managed to do just that. The most critical, and in many respects the most controversial play of the game, came on a penalty shot call. Michael Olson-Eyre was streaking down the left wing to break in on Kootenay Alder, and while defenseman Scott Wessa appeared to have him angled cleanly, Olson-Eyre went down, the referee's arm shot up, and the 0-0 game met it's climax - a penalty shot. The most exciting play in hockey.

Olson-Eyre broke in making it seem like he was going to put on a deke, but the cheeky stutter was enough to draw Alder's legs apart and the five-hole was left wide open. Just three and half minutes into the third, and the 'Ru felt deflated at the 1-0 score. Then, just over a minute later, the Ice Hawks delivered another shot to make it 2-0. Just like that, although the scoreboard only showed a two goal deficit, it seemed like the Sockeyes saw the game go out of reach. Besides only a couple of quality Richmond scoring chances, the Delta powerhouse dominated the third period, and they would put a stamp on it with a late goal from Anthony Brito for his league-leading 21st goal of the year. The win marked their third consecutive 3-0 shutout victory, and more importantly added two more points of separation in the standings between themselves and the Sockeyes.


Brief Game Notes:
1. Sockeyes: 0/6 on the powerplay
2. Final shot count: 36-30 for Delta
3. Second time Sockeyes have been shutout by Ice Hawks on home ice this season

Scratches:
1. Dylan Friel

Three Stars:
1. Scott Lapp
2. Michael Olson-Eyre
3. Jeremy Hamaguchi


Be sure to catch the next home game vs. Ridge Meadows live from the 'Ru next Thursday, November 15th, on www.richmondsockeyes.com. Pre-game 7:20, puck drop 7:30 p.m.

Thanks again to all the alumni who came out to support the Sockeyes and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the franchise!

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Sockeyes tame the Outlaws 4-1


The 'Ru has been a sweet place for the Richmond Sockeyes this season. On Thursday they earned their 8th victory in their home rink while only losing one game there.

The team got off to an uncharacteristic, yet pleasant strong start. Mission goaltender Brenden Sharp needed to be on his game early on as he faced 16 shots in the first stanza. Ironically, the shot that would beat him was a weak one from the face-off circle by rookie Daniell Lange which would squeeze between Sharp's pads. Mission was fortunate to only be down 1-0 after the first period as the Sockeyes completely dominated the play in all aspects.

It was a different start to the second, as Mission were the aggressors from the opening period face-off. The shots on goal scoreboard after the first period read 16-5 for Richmond. Near the halfway point of the second period it only favoured the home side 17-16. Mission's game plan was clearly to tilt the ice by moving their legs, forechecking, and generating more shots on goal. Richmond was able to withstand the pressure they faced in the first 10 minutes of the second nicely, and found their stride. Newcomer William Latimer did a nice job of seeing the puck most of the night against his old team. His only mistake would come near the end of the period, ironically, when the Sockeyes were playing their best hockey of the period. Ryan Procyshyn was a nice rush towards the next and took a shot that went off Latimer's left pad. Unfortunately for him he left the rebound right in front of the net and Procyshyn's momentum carried him to an empty net. The period would end knotted at one.

Richmond finally played to their full potential during the final period. Generating scoring chances by using a mix of creativity, grit, forechecking and shooting from everywhere. The game winning goal came 2:15 in as Stephen Campbell received a breakaway pass that he would capitalize on by beating Sharp 5-hole. Derek Hughes added his name on the goal scoring list for the first time in his PJHL career by putting a shot home from the point on the powerplay. The dagger would come on a two-on-one by red hot Dan Heinen and Lange. The rookies showed their chemistry once again as Heinen fed Lange for the easy tap in. The Richmond Sockeyes outshot the Outlaws 16-4 in that period, and 40-20 overall in the game.


Brief Game Notes:

1. Derek Hughes scored his first PJHL goal
2. William Latimer made his Sockeyes' debut in net
3. Red hot Daniell Lange now has 8 points in his last 3 games
4. Rudi Thorsteinson made his first appearance since September 15th

Scratches:

1. Dylan Friel
2. Kootenay Alder

3 Stars:

1. Daniell Lange
2. Dan Heinen
3. Brenden Sharp