Thorsteinson scores series winner with 1:11 left (Sockeyes 4-0)

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The Richmond Sockeyes are moving onto round two and the Tom Shaw Conference finals after defeating the North Delta Devils, sweeping them in four straight games. Rudi Thosteinson scored the game winner with just 1:11 remaining in the third period to send the Sockeyes to the next round.


It was a pure defensive struggle for most of the game as both teams had to battle with sloppy offensive zone pressure. Most of the first period was controlled by the Devils, especially since they outshot Richmond 12-5 in the opening frame. Luckily for the Sockeyes their first shot against Alex Wind was a good one, a Keenan Webb point shot found its way to Rudi Thorsteinson who sent the puck in on net. The rebound found its way to an open Jeremy Hamaguchi who scored his third goal of the playoffs. This was a huge goal as Aaron Oakley was playing solid in net and they had to give him some help.


North Delta just kept pressuring the Sockeyes in the second period, firing everything towards the net. They would finally be rewarded with a goal as Adam Nathwani scored his second of the post-season to tie the game at one. Manuveer Mahil was able to get the puck to Nathwani and he fired a shot past Oakley on the low corner. Devils were outshooting the Sockeyes 20 to 16 after two periods of play. The biggest part of the period though came earlier in the period, as Chris Manhas scored a open net goal as Aaron Oakley was down on the ice. But the referees discussed the play and deemed that Weslee Lee ran goaltender interference on the play.


Most of the last period saw both teams having a really hard time getting that pressure in each other's zone, with countless neutral zone play. During the final few minutes is when the offence really kicked into gear. Both teams had relentless pressure on both goaltenders. Aaron Oakley making some huge saves and Alex Wind stopping a Connor Wilson and Patrick Hunter breakaway. With just 1:11 left in the game, the Sockeyes would get on the board. With a great move by Jeremy Hamaguchi to move the puck behind the net, he waited for Thorsteinson to get open, and with a quick pass out front, Rudi was able to shoot the puck past the red line for the lead. The score was 2-1 and all the Devils could do is look on in horror as their season slipped away. 


Despite all the chances with the goaltender pulled they could not get the puck past Oakley and the Sockeyes would win the game 2-1 and the series 4-0. Both goaltenders got a star in the game and deservingly so, Oakley (Third) with 39 of 40 saves and Wind (Second) stopping 30 of 32 shots. Thorsteinson with his game winning goal and assist got the games first star and moved his point total to nine, just two behind Danny Brandys for the PIJHL lead. 


Next up for Richmond is either the Grandview Steelers or Delta Ice Hawks. That series is currently 2-1 in favour of Delta, either way game one of the Tom Shaw final will go Saturday, March 5th at 5:30 PM at the Minoru Arena. The game will be broadcast on SockeyesTV ww.richmondsockeyes.com

Sockeyes power play leads to 8-1 blowout (Sockeyes 3-0)

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Richmond just pushed itself to within one game of making the Tom Shaw Conference finals as they defeated the North Delta Devils by a blowout score of 8-1. Thanks in large part to a fantastic power play that capitalized six times and a undisciplined North Delta team that had 11 penalties and over 50 minutes in penalties.

North Delta was playing great hockey to start the game, controlling most of the play in the opening period, but it would be the Sockeyes who came out on top. With Sebastien Pare getting a nice feed on the side of the net and ripping home a shot to give Richmond the 1-0 lead. This was the first game the Sockeyes opened the scoring in, as the Devils scored the first goal in both previous games.

Then came the second period. Connor Wilson added an insurance marker after a Scott Wessa shot from the point bounced of the back wall behind Alex Wind and he potted the rebound behind Wind. At this point the score was 2-0, but the game deteriorated after that goal. Julius Ho, the captain of the Devils was ejected after a vicious knee to Sebastien Pare. On the 5 minute major penalty the Sockeyes capitalized four time, with goals by Thorsteinson, Hunter, Hamaguchi and Ball. It was after the fourth goal the Alex Wind was pulled and relief duties were given to Alex Ahnert. The fifth goal was where the Devils became completely undisciplined, Marco Finucci hammering Rudi Thorsteinson in front of their net, he was being ejected and as he was heading out, he grabbed Jake Roder's stick and tried to throw it into the crowd. The fans responded with a shower of boo's. It was a totally unprofessional act by Mr. Finucci. 

The period would end 6-0, but the game was over long before that, Pare would not return, and the Sockeyes would score two more goals, this time by Siemens and Webb. Aaron Oakley played great in net, only allowing one goal against. He stopped 26 of the 27 Devils shots, while Alex Wind was 18 for 22 in the loss, and relief goaltender Alex Ahnert stopped 28 of 32. 

With the game ending 8-1, the feeling in the third period was just, lets get out of here without any more problems. We will have to wait to see if Pare will be back for game four of this series, as the Sockeyes now have the chance to close out the series in North Delta. Game time is 6:45, February 26th in North Delta, you can watch the broadcast live on SockeyesTV www.richmondsockeyes.com  

Sockeyes win squeaker at home (Sockeyes 2-0)

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Once again the North Delta Devils opened the scoring, but they couldn't hang on to defeat their division rival Sockeyes. Ryan Cooper would eventually score the game winner for the Sockeyes, to give them a strong 2-0 series lead.

The first period saw some stellar goaltending on both sides of the rink, Aaron Oakley for the Sockeyes and Alex Wind got the start for the Devils. Wind replaced Alex Ahnert in game one after he allowed six goals in the first 30 minutes of play. The Devils goaltender stopped ten shots against him while Oakley played huge stopping 12 shots on him.

Richmond was thanking its stars that they weren't down after the first, as many good chances went to the Devils. The found themselves on a 4 on 2 breaking up ice with Adam Nathwani controlling the puck. Normally on a chance like that you make a couple passes, but he blasted a shot over the shoulder of Oakley to open the scoring 1-0. The shot actually blew the lid off of the water bottle sitting on the top of the net.

But there wasn't any quit in the Sockeyes eyes, and Aaron Oakley turned his game on preventing any Devils scoring opportunities. While Richmond found themselves on a 5 on 3 power play they went to work. Michael Ball sent a pass to captain Patrick Hunter on the side pf the net, he waited for Sebastien Pare to get open and sent a cross crease feed tape to tape. Pare was able to send a blistering wrist shot past Wind to tie the game at the 7:05 mark of the second.

Coming into the third period with the score tied 1-1 neither team wanted to be the one to go down, or make that mistake. Oakley had to play huge, as the Devils had some great offensive zone pressure for most of the period. Richmond would be rewarded with the tie-breaking goal. Eli Wiebe danced around a defenceman from the Devils and sent the puck on net, it couldn't make it past Wind, but a pinching Ryan Cooper knocked the puck in for a 2-1 lead.

In the last 3 minutes the game was incredibly intense with great chances by both sides, Aaron Oakley was a rock in net stopping all ten shots he faced in the period. Richmond would would come away from game two at the Minoru Arena with a 2-1 win and a 2-0 series lead.

Game three will go tomorrow night at the Minoru Arena at a late 8:45 start time due to ice time conflict. Richmond would be able to take a huge stranglehold on the series if they win. You can always watch as well on SockeyesTV with Dustin Forbes and Aaron Mackay www.richmondsockeyes.com

Big comeback leads Sockeyes over Devils (Sockeyes 1-0)

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This game certainly did not go the way it was expected to, as the Devils came out absolutely firing and caught the Sockeyes sleeping. The Devils scored three goals in the opening fourteen minutes to take a 3-0, but the Sockeyes weren't down and out. Richmond scored eight of the next nine goals to skate away with a 8-4 game one win.

In a pre-game interview with North Delta Devils head coach Grant Armstrong, he described how he wanted to play in the first period as fast, intense and with lots of pressure. That’s exactly what the Devils did; catching the nervous Sockeyes completely off guard. Three goals in a matter of five minutes and forty-six seconds by Chris Manhas, Julios Ho and former Sockeye Coltyn Hnasen, put Richmond on its heels. At that point there were two power play opportunities that the Sockeyes failed to capitalize on, while the opening two goals by the Devils came on the power play.

Aaron Oakley was in net for the Sockeyes and it appeared as though there were a bit of uneasy nerves filling the line-up. The Sockeyes needed a spark, they needed a goal to get them back in this game before it became a rout. They got what they were looking for as Brayden low tipped in a Jessie Siemens point shot to break Alex Ahnert. The flood gates would open as he let in two more goals, by Jeremy Hamaguchi and Kamesh Goundar to tie the game at three a piece. You could see that the Sockeyes were back in fine form, playing with that intensity that they saw all year.

The fact that the game was tied could have been called a huge success for the Sockeyes, but with just over two seconds left in the first period, Jake Roder gave Richmond the lead. Just 2.7 seconds remained and for the first time in the game Richmond had a lead. Hard to believe after the start to the game that they had.

The second period had the Devils come out strong scoring just 38 seconds into the frame. Christopher Manhas notched his second of the game to tie the score at 4-4. Brayden Low just under two minutes later came streaking towards the net, cut in extremely close to Ahnert and roofed it past him in a tiny opening. This goal proved vital as it quelled any of the Devils confidence. Before the period was done, another goal would be scored, this time by Rudi Thorsteinson on the powerplay, he made a few beautiful moves around the Devils defenders to keep the pressure inside the zone. That sixth goal against would spell the end of Alex Ahnert's night, he stopped 21 of 27 shots and was replaced by Alex Wind.

In the final twenty minutes Aaron Oakley really stepped up his game, making some critical saves, one notably off a tip in front to keep the Sockeyes in the lead. Jessie Siemens and Kamesh Goundar added a goal each to tally the final score to 8-4.

There were three players who just kept finding their way onto the scoreboard at the Sungod Arena. Jeremy Hamaguchi came out with a goal and two assists. Rudi Thorsteinson had a goal and three assists. The player of the game was Brayden Low though, he had two goals, three assists, five points and the game winning goal. 

Hopefully Richmond shook out all of its cobwebs after being down by three goals early on. They now wait until this Thursday where they will play at the home confines of the Minoru Arena. Game time is 7:30 PM for game two of this seven game series. You can also watch online on SockeyesTV, www.richmondsockeys.com 

Sockeyes end regular season in 1st

                                           

After 46 games, a goalie change and depth throughout the lineup. your Richmond Sockeyes are the 2010-2011 PIJHL Regular Season Champions. Finishing with the best record in the league, going 37-5-4.

This season has proved to be one of the best ever for the Richmond Sockeyes. Only 9 losses throughout the entire year, with just 5 of them coming in regulation, that means out of a possible 92 points the Sockeyes only missed out on 14 of those. The solidity of the lineup has made this a team to be reckoned with, especially since every player on the team had over 10 points. Showing that it doesn't matter, top to bottom, that these players can compete.

Throughout the year we have seen many changes including, Aaron Oakley taking over as startong goalie, and finishing with MVP statistics, winning 23 of 25 games played, two shutouts and a league best 2.06 Goals Against Average.

Shots, shots and more shots, in 46 games Richmond was only outshot three times(North Delta, Mission and Delta). The more impressive stat is that from the start of the season to the end was the ability for the Sockeyes to vastly outshoot it's opponents, most notably against the Aldergrove Kodiaks to the tune of 75 shots.

All in all this is a team that is poised to be able to make a long playoff push, and hopefully extend its reach to the Cyclone Taylor Cup(Provincial championship) and Keystone Cup(National championship). Lets not forget that just two years ago was when the Sockeyes last won the regular season championship and they went on to win the National title.

In order to accomplish that though they have to get past the tough North Delta Devils squad. With Richmond clinching home-ice throughout the playoffs they will play three games at Sungod Arena and four at the home rink Minoru Arena. Game one is set for Monday February 21st at Sungod Arena, game time is 8:00. The Devils were the only team this year to have a winning record against the Sockeyes so you know it will be a hard fought series.

If you can make it out to either the Minoru Arena or Sungod Arena game times are as follows. All games will be broadcast on SockeyesTV on www.richmondsockeyes.com

NORTH DELTA    VS   RICHMOND

  Feb. 21     Monday        8:00 pm      Sungod

  Feb. 24     Thursday      7:30 pm      Minoru

  Feb. 25     Friday           8:45 pm      Minoru

  Feb. 26     Saturday      6:45 pm      Sungod

  Feb. 28     Monday        7:30 pm      Minoru   *if needed

  March 2   Wednesday   7:30 pm     Sungod   *if needed

  March 3   Thursday       7:30 pm     Minoru    *if needed

Sockeyes just keep on winning

                                           

Things just keep rolling along for the Richmond Sockeyes lately, they won their 8th straight game on Friday night and have won 24 of their last 26 games. Thanks in large part to their solid offensive play, top to bottom all guns are firing and all lines are rolling...to be cliché.

Their second to last home game was played against the only team to have a winning record versus the Sockeyes. The North Delta Devils came into the game having beaten Richmond three times this year, but this game sure didn't seem like thats how the season series was played. just four minutes into the game the Sockeyes started to take control, Thorsteinson opened the scoring. Roder, Thorsteinson and Hamaguchi are absolutely flying right now, having scored 30 points in just 5 games previous.

Past the midway point of the first period Connor Wilson was able to score his first goal at Minoru Arena since being traded, and then added a helper on Drew Spencer's goal. Richmond would score two more goals thanks to Keenan Webb, and Jeremy Hamaguchi getting on the board. Richmond would go on to win by a 5-0 score. Aaron Oakley made 26 saves for the shutout, his second of the season. Alex Wind started for the Devils but replaced after he allowed 3 goals on 12 shots. Alex Ahnert came in relief, and stopped 27 of 29 shots.

On Friday night the two division leaders were playing each other at the MSA Arena, and the Sockeyes would prove too much for Abbotsford winning 5-1.

Sockeyes would get goals from Patrick Hunter, Rudi Thorsteinson(2), Jake Roder and Jeremy Hamaguchi. All their goals came in the first two periods. Abbotsford would score in the third period to break Aaron Oakleys attempt at two consecutive shutouts.

With the recent success and confidence that the Sockeyes have shown it will be hard for any team to stop the high flying Richmond team. They face the Delta Ice Hawks on Tuesday at the Ladner Leisure Centre. Sockeyes can clinch the PIJHL regular season, and have home ice throughout the playoffs with either a Delta loss or a Sockeyes win.

Minoru arena will host the Squamish Wolf Pack this Thursday in the final regular season home game. You can watch online at SockeyesTV, 7:15 pre-game and 7:30 puck drop.

Sockeyes now three points up on Ice Hawks

                                                  

With wins against the Aldergrove Kodiaks and Port Moody Black Panthers there is now a three point separation between Richmond and Delta for first place in the Tom Shaw Conference. A 8-1 victory on Thursday night at the Minoru Arena and a 5-3 win over Port Moody has left the Sockeyes more comfortable in the race for first place.

Thursday night at the Minoru arena saw Richmond dominate the Harold Brittain Conference last place Aldergrove Kodiaks. In the first period Ross Baadsvik was playing very strong, stopping many good chances for Richmond. Late in the first period though the tide started to change, Jeremy Hamaguchi score and then Jake Roder scored just 14 seconds later. That would give the Sockeyes a 2-0 lead.

From that point on it was all Sockeyes, they scored six more goals, while the Kodiaks could only manage to get one goal past Aaron Oakley. Richmond got goal from Pare, Siemens, Hunter and Low, but the line of Hamaguchi, Thorsteinson, and Roder had an absolutely unbelievable game. between the three players they registered four goals, seven assists and eleven points.

Aaron Oakley made 22 of 23 stops in net, and because of his strong play now has 19 wins and a 2.21 GAA. He got the rest against Port Moody on Saturday night. Devin Nijjer would be between the pipes for Richmond.

Five different players scored for Richmond as they defeated the Black Panthers 5-3. Thortseinson and Hamaguchi once again got off to a great start, giving their team a 2-0 lead after the first period.

In the second period Port Moody got back into the game with two goals, but Eli Wiebe was able to get a goal to end the period 3-2.

An exciting third period saw the Black Panthers tie the game 3-3, but the Sockeyes are a resilient team and have now never lost in regulation when leading after two periods. Jake Roder and Patrick Hunter would score and give Richmond the 5-3 win and have now won 13 of 14 games.

The next game for the Richmond Sockeyes is this Thursday against the North Delta Devils. North Delta is the only team that has a winning record agauinst the Sockeyes. They have gone 3-1-0-1 against Richmond this year. Game time is 7:300 PM and you can watch the game on SockeyesTV www.richmondsockeyes.com