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