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!
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