The Sockeyes struggled to find their stride in the first period as the Wolf Pack controlled play early on. Nathan Alalouf was sharp in the opening minutes to keep it scoreless, as the Sockeyes skaters struggled to maintain possession of the puck. A power play later on in the period gave the Sockeyes some life, as a beautiful passing play from Richmond's top unit was finished off by Tyler Andrews to open the scoring. Brodyn Neilsen finally capitalized on one of the Sockeyes many first period turnovers when he snapped one past Alalouf glove side to tie the game. North Van continued to press but Alalouf held the game even with a pair of fabulous toe saves in the final moments of the period.
Both Alalouf and Wolf Pack goaltender Nicholas Anderson had to make some tough stops early, as turnovers plagued both teams early in the period. The physical play picked up as the period wore on, with the Sockeyes collecting two more powerplays, but were unable to convert. Daniel Oakley finally claimed the lead for the Sockeyes when he banged home a rebound in the crease of Anderson for the tally. That was the difference maker as the Sockeyes held a 2-1 lead after two periods, backed by superb net-minding from Alalouf.
The final period started with high intensity and strong physical play from both teams. Some fantastic hand-eye coordination by Mitchell Crisanti to bat a puck out of the air past Alalouf. The refs made no initial call on the play, but eventually ruled it a goal, which sparked anger from the Sockeyes bench. Daniel Tait tallied for the Wolf Pack later in the period to send the Sockeyes to their first 3rd period deficit at home this season. The Sockeyes pressed hard for an equalizer in the final minutes, but a Troy Kaczynski shot off the crossbar was as close as they would come as the Sockeyes lost their first game at home this season; a narrow 3-2 defeat.
- Bailey Meadows
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