Sockeyes win first Cyclone Taylor game 4-3 (Sockeyes 1-0-0)

                                        vs.                

What could have been the two top Junior B teams playing this afternoon saw the Richmond Sockeyes skate away with a 4-3 victory over the Osoyoos Coyotes. Rudi Thorsteinson who has been playing some unbelievable hockey over the last 2 months including the playoffs put on a show today. Thorsteinson scored two goals and added an assist to lead Richmond to an important first game win at the Provincial Championships the Cyclone Taylor Cup.

Osoyoos got on the board first, with Troy Quintal scoring the tournaments first goal 3:04 into the second period. Both teams traded goals before the period ended. Richmond scored two goals, both coming on the power play, as Jeremy Hamaguchi and Rudi Thorsteinson scored. Sam Nigg scored the second Osoyoos goal and after two periods the score was 2-2 and the Sockeyes were outshooting the Coyotes 29-22.

A big turning point of that period was when Turner Popoff checked a Coyote into the end board he received a five-minute major penalty. That cause a minute long 5 on 3 man-advantage for the Coyotes but nothing came out of it. They killed off both and prevented Osoyoos from getting a big lead.

Brayden Low game the Sockeyes their first lead of the game on a shorthanded goal just over a minute into the third period. The Coyotes tied the game when Josh Gray beat Aaron Oakley to tie the game at 3-3. It appeared like the game was heading towards overtime, but in stunning fashion the Sockeyes top line broke in on a 3 on 1. Rudi Thorsteinson held onto the puck and roofed it over Kyle Laslo with just 51.5 seconds left in the game. That would be the game winner as Richmond snuck out the win late in the game.

The specialty teams played a big role for Richmond as they scored two goals on five chances, while the Sockeyes penalty kill stopped four chances including a 5 on 3 and a five minute major penalty. Aaron Oakley was big in net stopping 33 of 36 shots on goal. Kyle Laslo stopped 31 of 35 for Osoyoss.

Jeremy Hamaguchi was named Sockeyes player of the game with a goal and two assists. Shane Hanna was Osoyoos's player of the game.

Richmond will now play the VIJHL champion Peninsula Panthers tomorrow at 2:00 pacific time.