Friday, March 22, 2013

Advantage Sockeyes: Richmond two wins away from PJHL Championship

After the Richmond Sockeyes played one of their most complete and impressive games all season in the final chapter of their Tom Shaw Conference Finals series matchup vs. the Delta Ice Hawks, defeating their rivals 5-1 in game seven, the team has shown no sign of stopping in the PJHL Championship.

After only one full day off after laying the final dagger into the hearts of the Ice Hawks, the Sockeyes have quickly jumped out to a 2-0 series lead over the Aldergrove Kodiaks in the PJHL Finals.

Meanwhile, going into game one, the Kodiaks were coming off of a full week's rest since defeating the Pilots 4-1 in their Harold Brittain Conference Finals. Clearly, however, it didn't prove to do anything for them.

The Sockeyes cruised to an 8-2 win in convincing fashion as many offensive weapons are really starting to heat up - and at no better time. The Red Line looks to be the best line in the PJHL the way they've been rolling as they put up an 8-point effort collectively. The Youth Line made up of Heinen, Lawson and Lange also got their wheels turning a little faster as they exploded for a 7 point night. But still unquestionably the hottest Sockeye of the playoffs is Dean Allison. Although he only tallied one point in game one vs. Aldergrove, he is one of the biggest reasons the Richmond club finds themselves in the position to clinch a Cyclone Taylor Cup birth in the first place.

In game two, Allison wasn't silenced for much longer. The young star scored his 11th and 12th of the playoffs putting him atop the PJHL playoff point scorers with 18 and leading his team to a 5-0 win in game two - and another convincing one at that. Although the Kodiaks seemed to have the spark early on looking to rebound from an embarrassing game one, the Sockeyes found a way to shut them down defensively and take advantage of the chances they got early on. It was still close after two as the 'Eyes lead it only by a 2-0 margin, but when the third hit, they put it well out of reach adding three more. Kootenay Alder matched the number on his jersey, stopping all 29 shots he faced, and picked up his third shutout of the post season. Meanwhile, on the other side, star Kodiaks goalie Mark Menicucci was disciplined with 10-minute misconduct and will not play in game three - a sign that doesn't seem to indicate things may soon stop falling apart for the struggling Aldergrove team.

Be sure to catch game three vs. Aldergrove live from the 'Ru this Sunday, March 23rd, on www.richmondsockeyes.com. Pre-game 5:30, puck drop 5:45 p.m.

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