Sockeyes Douse Flames

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Christmas came early by two days this year for the Richmond Sockeyes as they walloped the Ridge Meadows Flames 11-0 Thursday night to leap frog the Delta Ice Hawks for top spot in the Tom Shaw Conference and the PIJHL.

This marked the fourth and final time that the Sockeyes would meet the Flames this season, having dropped 3-2 to the Flames back on December 10th. However, on this night, the Sockeyes came out guns a blazing. At 1:31 of the first period Jessie Siemens scored his 5th of the season from Hunter and Pare. That was just the start of what would be a fabulous night for that line. Sebastien Pare then scored at the five minute mark to make 2-0. Then Mitchell Smith tallied his 9th to chase starting goaltender Tyler Klassen. Mackenzie Skapski came in to replace Klassen, but he didn't fair much better. At 14:23, Patrick Hunter scored his first of four goals on the night and 14th of the season to make it 4-0 and that is how it would finish after one period of hockey.

In the second, the game continued in the wrong direction for the Flames. At 4:25, Hunter scored his second of the night on a beautiful move to the backhand and putting it crossbar and in. Then, Eli Wiebe would score on a great shot off the left wing to make it 6-0 for the Sockeyes. That would spell the end of the night for Mackenzie Skapski, and back in came Tyler Klassen. Though, Klassen would unravel after that. Four more goals in the second period for the Sockeyes from Keenan Webb shorthanded; Patrick Hunter's 3rd of the night; Kyzen Loo; and Jessie Siemens second and 6th of the season. The score at the end of 40 minutes was 10-0 for the Sockeyes.

In the third, Klassen remained in the net and made a handful of marvelous saves that kept the score 10-0. Though, it wasn't a perfect period, as Patrick Hunter tallied his 4th goal of the game at 19:27 to tie Jake Roder for the team lead in goals with 17. That was also the second four goal game of the season for the Captain, both of them coming at home.

Eight players would finish the night with two or more points lead by Hunter who had four goals and one assist; Sebastien Pare, who had one goal and four assists; and Jessie Siemens who had two goals and two assists, as that line combined for 14 points in the game. Other players with two or more points included Keenan Webb, Kyzen Loo, Mitchell Smith, Brayden Low, and Eli Wiebe.

Lost in all the goal scoring, was the outstanding play of starting goaltender for the Sockeyes, Devin Nijjer. Nijjer wasn't tested much, but made the saves that he needed to. He stopped all the shots directed his way in the game by the Flames recording his second PIJHL shutout, and second of the season.

With the victory, Sockeyes sit atop the PIJHL with an overall record of 24-4-3, for 51 points, one point ahead of the Ice Hawks, at the Christmas break.

Next action for the Sockeyes comes December 30th as they head to the Sungod Arena to face division foe the North Delta Devils. Next home game will come January 6th when the Sockeyes with entertain the Grandview Steelers.

For everyone within the Richmond Sockeyes organization, we wish you a fun and safe holiday season.

Preview of Sockeyes vs. Ridge Meadow Flames

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The Sockeyes will play host to the Ridge Meadow Flames this Thursday at Minoru Arena at 7:30. Coming into tonights game the Sockeyes hold a 2-1 series lead. This will be the last meeting and the Sockeyes are hoping to extend their lead on the Tom Shaw conference.

Sockeyes took the first two games by scores of 6-1 and 3-1. Brayden Low and Sebastien Pare have a goal and two assists and Ryan Cooper has a pair of assists in those two games. Aaron Oakley started both games and made 50 saves on 52 shots.

The last game was a tough one for the Sockeyes when they lost by a score of 3-2. Richmond came into the game on a 11 game win streak having one 9-0-0 in November. But the Flames forward Paul Piluso turned his game up scoring two goals including the eventual game winner. Mackenzie Skapski was peppered with 46 shots and saved 44 of them, he was named first star.

The shots have been the story of the 3 meetings this season. Sockeyes have outshot the Flames 135 to 77. Oakley has stopped 72 of 77 shots.

The Flames come into the game after having defeated the North Delta Devils 5-4 in a shootout win  at the Sungod Arena. Both teams should be riding high as the Sockeyes hope to extend their lead on their division rivals the Delta Ice Hawks.

Game time is 7:30 with Dustin Forbes and Conor Hammond calling the game, pre-game show starts at 7:15. Tune into Sockeyes TV at http://www.richmondsockeyes.com/ Follow the tweets at www.twitter.com/R_Sockeyes

Aaron Oakley plays great in 4-3 Victory over Grandview

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Thanks to some great goaltending and a balanced scoring attack, the Sockeyes once again moved ahead of the Delta Ice Hawks for first place in the league. En route to a big 4-3 victory over their division rivals at the Burnaby Winter Club.

Things started off well for the Sockeyes with Mitchell Smith getting his 8th goal of the Season with Kyzen Loo and Scott Wessa getting the assists. But the Steelers reponded with Marko Gordic adding his team and league leading 23rd goal of the season. Simon Horlick added an assist on the play. The sfish just kept swimming though when Drew Spencer ripped a blast past Steelers goalie Norbert Biszczak to take a lead into the 2nd period. Aaron Oakley made 12 stops in the 1st period for the Sockeyes while Biszczak made 11 saves.

Coming out of the dressing room the Steelers tallied very quickly tying the game up just 2:52 into the 2nd period. Curtis Rochetti scored an unassisted goal. It was his 13th on the season. Sockeyes would kill off 2 penalties, and in dying minute of the 2nd period got a huge goal. Jeremy Hamaguchi scored from Brayden Low and Keenan Webb to give the Sockeyes a 3-2 lead heading to the final frame.

After killing off the previous three penalties, the Steelers offence managed to get the tying goal on the power play at the 7:35 mark of the 3rd. Marko Gordic got his 2nd goal of the night from Danny Merth and Kyle Golz. The Sockeyes captain Patrick Hunter answered the call with just 4 minutes left in the game scoring the eventual game winning goal. Sebastien Pare picked up his team leading 34th point off the assist. Time would tick down and Richmond would have its 3rd straight victory and 12th in its past 13 games.

This was only the second time on the entire season the Sockeyes didn't outshoot their opponents. The only time they were outshot was in a 5-1  loss to the North Delta Devils on October 9th 2010. Showing that the Sockeyes use any chance they can to fire that puck towards the net.

Aaron Okaley got his 14th win on the season in net, stopping 28 of 31 shots. While Norbert Biszczak stopped 27 of 31 shots. Three stars of the game were Aaron Oakley(First), Marko Gordic(Second) and Patrick Hunter(Third).

The Sockeyes have been flying high since the start of October collecting points in 23 of 26 games and have only lost once since Halloween. With the win the Fish jumped over the Delta Ice Hawks for 1st place in the Tom Shaw Conference and the league.

Richmond will be looking for a bit of revenge as they face the Ridge Meadow Flames. The last time the two teams faced eachother the Flames walked away with a 3-2 win. Giving the Sockeyes their first loss in 11 games. Game-time will be 7:30 as always. Join Dustin Forbes and Conor Hammond for the call on Sockeyes TV. http://www.richmondsockeyes.com/