On a night where players who once wore Sockeyes sweaters in the past were honoured, it was the ones on the ice that felt the tough feeling of defeat.
Thursday was a special night at the 'Ru, as Sockeyes alumni piled into the arena to celebrate the 40th anniversary year of the great hockey club. What made it even more special - the Delta Ice Hawks were in town for the latest installment of their rich rivalry - one that has certainly transcended through Sockeyes history.
For the second time this season, the Sockeyes were held scoreless on home ice against the Ice Hawks in a tight 3-0 loss. Coming into the game, Richmond was six points back of Delta for top spot in the Tom Shaw Conference and PJHL, desperate to make up some ground on the rolling Ice Hawks who were riding a 8-0-1-0 streak without a loss.
The first and second periods were very much alike - they finished the way they started, tied at 0-0, and saw both teams fighting to establish a clear edge or momentum swing over the other. Both sides battled relentlessly trying to sustain pressure on one another in the offensive zones, but overall the game had a hard time finding a steady pace due to the myriad of blown whistles. Whether it was an icing, an offside, a puck out of play, or a penalty being called, each whistle stifled the fluidity of the game and resulted in much of the play occuring in neutral ice territory. At the end of the first period, Richmond outshot Delta 10-7, but much like was the back-and-forth trend, Delta came back in the second to outshoot the Sockeyes 11-5.
The third period was poised to be an absolute thriller - the main act of the night. The building was buzzing and tense, giving it the feel of a playoff game on the verge of busting out at the seams. Unfortunately for the Sockeyes, it was the Ice Hawks who managed to do just that. The most critical, and in many respects the most controversial play of the game, came on a penalty shot call. Michael Olson-Eyre was streaking down the left wing to break in on Kootenay Alder, and while defenseman Scott Wessa appeared to have him angled cleanly, Olson-Eyre went down, the referee's arm shot up, and the 0-0 game met it's climax - a penalty shot. The most exciting play in hockey.
Olson-Eyre broke in making it seem like he was going to put on a deke, but the cheeky stutter was enough to draw Alder's legs apart and the five-hole was left wide open. Just three and half minutes into the third, and the 'Ru felt deflated at the 1-0 score. Then, just over a minute later, the Ice Hawks delivered another shot to make it 2-0. Just like that, although the scoreboard only showed a two goal deficit, it seemed like the Sockeyes saw the game go out of reach. Besides only a couple of quality Richmond scoring chances, the Delta powerhouse dominated the third period, and they would put a stamp on it with a late goal from Anthony Brito for his league-leading 21st goal of the year. The win marked their third consecutive 3-0 shutout victory, and more importantly added two more points of separation in the standings between themselves and the Sockeyes.
Brief Game Notes:
1. Sockeyes: 0/6 on the powerplay
2. Final shot count: 36-30 for Delta
3. Second time Sockeyes have been shutout by Ice Hawks on home ice this season
Scratches:
1. Dylan Friel
Three Stars:
1. Scott Lapp
2. Michael Olson-Eyre
3. Jeremy Hamaguchi
Be sure to catch the next home game vs. Ridge Meadows live from the 'Ru next Thursday, November 15th, on www.richmondsockeyes.com. Pre-game 7:20, puck drop 7:30 p.m.
Thanks again to all the alumni who came out to support the Sockeyes and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the franchise!
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Sunday, November 4, 2012
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
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
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Sockeyes blast Kodiaks into 8-2 hibernation loss
For the second time this season, the feisty fish proved to be too quick for the desperately hungry bears as the Richmond Sockeyes steamrolled the Aldergrove Kodiaks 8-2.
In the two meetings between the teams this season, Richmond has now marked 15 goals in total against Aldergrove, as they defeated them 7-4 in the third game of the regular season. Daniell Lange lead the boys past their furry foes once again by scoring his second hat trick against the Kodiaks this year.
Richmond came into the game chasing Delta in a four point gap for top spot in the Tom Shaw Conference and the PJHL, as well as looking to gain some momentum back after dropping their last to Ridge Meadows.
Boy, did they ever.
However, midway through the first period, wouldn't you know it, it certainly didn't look like it was going to be that way. Although they didn't get the strong start they continue to lack on home ice of late, the Sockeyes were very much evenly paced with the Kodiaks until they somehow managed to net two past Kootenay Alder to take a 2-0 lead. So many times it feels like now, Richmond has found themselves in the early holes, but just as frequent is their consistency of being able to battle back, and with five minutes left in the period that's exactly what Dean "2 Step" Allison started with his goal. The score stood 2-1 Aldergrove at the end of the first, with the scoring chances and shots on goal staying pretty even (8-6 Richmond), but again - wouldn't you know it - that would all change as quickly as it was established.
The second period was an absolute showcase of hockey fireworks - goals and plays of all different colours and varieties. The Richmond Sockeyes came out like they had quickly put the first behind them and re-focused their energy on reviving the dominant hockey they know they're capable of playing, as well as the 'Ru faithful. They came so quick it was hard to count them - like three quick strikes from a pitcher to strikeout a helpless batter. First, it was Danton Heinen to tie it up. Then, Captain Sam Chichak found himself a loose puck in the slot on the powerplay and wired it by Kodiak goalie Mark Menicucci - the real catapult for the ensuing all out blitz. Lange, Chichak, Lange - just like that and it was 6-2 at the end of the third. Just as quickly as Chichak matched Lange with his second tally of the night, Lange dazzled the Aldergrove defense and easily solved the disheartened Menicucci on a brilliant shorthanded effort that had all of Richmond abuzz. Menicucci was yanked for reliever Cole McInnes, the Kodiaks fatigue was finally starting to show in their second game in as many nights, and the Sockeyes smiled their way into the dressing room in commanding fashion.
In the third, the game started to find its physical edge. As the Sockeyes showed no intention of letting up on the gas, the Kodiaks started to get aggressive at every puck battle. But as this Sockeyes group has shown, their is more than one gear that makes this team go, and they had no problem mixing it up with a pack of fatigued bears. Stephen Campbell and Daniell Lange, with his hatty, added a couple more, but the final exclamation point came on a Dominic Centis hit in the last minute of the game. Right in the middle of the ice up against the boards, Centis caught a streaking Kodiak forward with his head down and gave him an early trick-or-treat ding-dong right to the chest. A little retaliation from Aldergrove, but that was that in a nutshell - the Richmond Sockeyes were allowed to walk all over them. They stamped the final score 8-2 and called it a day.
Brief Game Notes
1. Sockeyes: 2/3 on powerplay
2. Final shot count: 34-32 for Sockeyes
3. Dylan Friel left game in third period
Scratches:
1. Rudi Thorsteinson
Three Stars:
1. Daniell Lange
2. Sam Chichak
3. Danton Heinen
Be sure to catch the next home game vs. Mission City live from the 'Ru next Thursday, November 1st, on www.richmondsockeyes.com. Pre-game 7:20, puck drop 7:30 p.m.
In the two meetings between the teams this season, Richmond has now marked 15 goals in total against Aldergrove, as they defeated them 7-4 in the third game of the regular season. Daniell Lange lead the boys past their furry foes once again by scoring his second hat trick against the Kodiaks this year.
Richmond came into the game chasing Delta in a four point gap for top spot in the Tom Shaw Conference and the PJHL, as well as looking to gain some momentum back after dropping their last to Ridge Meadows.
Boy, did they ever.
However, midway through the first period, wouldn't you know it, it certainly didn't look like it was going to be that way. Although they didn't get the strong start they continue to lack on home ice of late, the Sockeyes were very much evenly paced with the Kodiaks until they somehow managed to net two past Kootenay Alder to take a 2-0 lead. So many times it feels like now, Richmond has found themselves in the early holes, but just as frequent is their consistency of being able to battle back, and with five minutes left in the period that's exactly what Dean "2 Step" Allison started with his goal. The score stood 2-1 Aldergrove at the end of the first, with the scoring chances and shots on goal staying pretty even (8-6 Richmond), but again - wouldn't you know it - that would all change as quickly as it was established.
The second period was an absolute showcase of hockey fireworks - goals and plays of all different colours and varieties. The Richmond Sockeyes came out like they had quickly put the first behind them and re-focused their energy on reviving the dominant hockey they know they're capable of playing, as well as the 'Ru faithful. They came so quick it was hard to count them - like three quick strikes from a pitcher to strikeout a helpless batter. First, it was Danton Heinen to tie it up. Then, Captain Sam Chichak found himself a loose puck in the slot on the powerplay and wired it by Kodiak goalie Mark Menicucci - the real catapult for the ensuing all out blitz. Lange, Chichak, Lange - just like that and it was 6-2 at the end of the third. Just as quickly as Chichak matched Lange with his second tally of the night, Lange dazzled the Aldergrove defense and easily solved the disheartened Menicucci on a brilliant shorthanded effort that had all of Richmond abuzz. Menicucci was yanked for reliever Cole McInnes, the Kodiaks fatigue was finally starting to show in their second game in as many nights, and the Sockeyes smiled their way into the dressing room in commanding fashion.
In the third, the game started to find its physical edge. As the Sockeyes showed no intention of letting up on the gas, the Kodiaks started to get aggressive at every puck battle. But as this Sockeyes group has shown, their is more than one gear that makes this team go, and they had no problem mixing it up with a pack of fatigued bears. Stephen Campbell and Daniell Lange, with his hatty, added a couple more, but the final exclamation point came on a Dominic Centis hit in the last minute of the game. Right in the middle of the ice up against the boards, Centis caught a streaking Kodiak forward with his head down and gave him an early trick-or-treat ding-dong right to the chest. A little retaliation from Aldergrove, but that was that in a nutshell - the Richmond Sockeyes were allowed to walk all over them. They stamped the final score 8-2 and called it a day.
Brief Game Notes
1. Sockeyes: 2/3 on powerplay
2. Final shot count: 34-32 for Sockeyes
3. Dylan Friel left game in third period
Scratches:
1. Rudi Thorsteinson
Three Stars:
1. Daniell Lange
2. Sam Chichak
3. Danton Heinen
Be sure to catch the next home game vs. Mission City live from the 'Ru next Thursday, November 1st, on www.richmondsockeyes.com. Pre-game 7:20, puck drop 7:30 p.m.
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