After the Richmond Sockeyes played one of their most complete and impressive games all season in the final chapter of their Tom Shaw Conference Finals series matchup vs. the Delta Ice Hawks, defeating their rivals 5-1 in game seven, the team has shown no sign of stopping in the PJHL Championship.
After only one full day off after laying the final dagger into the hearts of the Ice Hawks, the Sockeyes have quickly jumped out to a 2-0 series lead over the Aldergrove Kodiaks in the PJHL Finals.
Meanwhile, going into game one, the Kodiaks were coming off of a full week's rest since defeating the Pilots 4-1 in their Harold Brittain Conference Finals. Clearly, however, it didn't prove to do anything for them.
The Sockeyes cruised to an 8-2 win in convincing fashion as many offensive weapons are really starting to heat up - and at no better time. The Red Line looks to be the best line in the PJHL the way they've been rolling as they put up an 8-point effort collectively. The Youth Line made up of Heinen, Lawson and Lange also got their wheels turning a little faster as they exploded for a 7 point night. But still unquestionably the hottest Sockeye of the playoffs is Dean Allison. Although he only tallied one point in game one vs. Aldergrove, he is one of the biggest reasons the Richmond club finds themselves in the position to clinch a Cyclone Taylor Cup birth in the first place.
In game two, Allison wasn't silenced for much longer. The young star scored his 11th and 12th of the playoffs putting him atop the PJHL playoff point scorers with 18 and leading his team to a 5-0 win in game two - and another convincing one at that. Although the Kodiaks seemed to have the spark early on looking to rebound from an embarrassing game one, the Sockeyes found a way to shut them down defensively and take advantage of the chances they got early on. It was still close after two as the 'Eyes lead it only by a 2-0 margin, but when the third hit, they put it well out of reach adding three more. Kootenay Alder matched the number on his jersey, stopping all 29 shots he faced, and picked up his third shutout of the post season. Meanwhile, on the other side, star Kodiaks goalie Mark Menicucci was disciplined with 10-minute misconduct and will not play in game three - a sign that doesn't seem to indicate things may soon stop falling apart for the struggling Aldergrove team.
Be sure to catch game three vs. Aldergrove live from the 'Ru this Sunday, March 23rd, on www.richmondsockeyes.com. Pre-game 5:30, puck drop 5:45 p.m.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
Sockeyes season comes down to 7th game
It looked like last year's defeat had been avenged. It looked like a championship series with Aldergrove was a sure thing. It looked like a berth in the Cyclone Taylor Cup tournament was a likely outcome. But then game 5 happened.
After going down 3-1 in their series with Richmond, the Delta Ice Hawks have shown incredible resilience, nerve and fighting spirit. They took game 5 by a dramatic 5-4 score that saw them blow a 2-0 lead. They would hang on after Jake Roder increased the drama factor, and decreased the lead to 5-4 with 9 minutes left in the third. It would be a lead that would stand as Alex Ahnert would stop the other 7 shots that came his way in that period for a crucial road win in game 5.
Game 6 was another evenly matched, high-paced game. The Ice Hawks got off to a 1-0 lead when Daniel Del Bianco blasted one past Kootenay Alder to open up the scoring. Heinen would knot things up at 1 in the second, but the draw would be short-lived. Letourneau and Merrick would score less than 3 minutes apart, to make the lead an unsurmountable one of the Sockeyes.
So it now comes to this. Game 7. Minoru Arena. Tuesday night at 8:45. A more dramatic script up to now could not be written better than the stories these teams have told on the ice to this point. Come to the game or catch all the action live on richmondsockeyes.com.
After going down 3-1 in their series with Richmond, the Delta Ice Hawks have shown incredible resilience, nerve and fighting spirit. They took game 5 by a dramatic 5-4 score that saw them blow a 2-0 lead. They would hang on after Jake Roder increased the drama factor, and decreased the lead to 5-4 with 9 minutes left in the third. It would be a lead that would stand as Alex Ahnert would stop the other 7 shots that came his way in that period for a crucial road win in game 5.
Game 6 was another evenly matched, high-paced game. The Ice Hawks got off to a 1-0 lead when Daniel Del Bianco blasted one past Kootenay Alder to open up the scoring. Heinen would knot things up at 1 in the second, but the draw would be short-lived. Letourneau and Merrick would score less than 3 minutes apart, to make the lead an unsurmountable one of the Sockeyes.
So it now comes to this. Game 7. Minoru Arena. Tuesday night at 8:45. A more dramatic script up to now could not be written better than the stories these teams have told on the ice to this point. Come to the game or catch all the action live on richmondsockeyes.com.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Sockeyes dominate defensively, take 2-1 series lead
"Well, it wasn't a Picasso:" those are the words Head Coach Aaron Wilbur used to describe his team's 3-2 come-from-behind win in game two in the Tom Shaw Conference Final series against the Delta Ice Hawks.
Clearly, although it was as thrilling of a win as any, the Sockeyes bench boss knew it wasn't the most complete effort his club was capable of. Well, on Sunday, Richmond certainly took game three in their most convincing fashion thus far in this years' installment of the Tunnel Series as Kootenay Alder earned his second shutout of the post season by a 2-0 final.
In fact, interestingly enough, after the Sockeyes began the series not having scored through the first 80+ minutes of hockey before Dean Allison's marker in the second period of game two, it's now Delta who has caught the slump. The Ice Hawks haven't now scored a goal in 100+ minutes.
And while it must be considered that the Ice Hawks are currently hurting without one of their biggest leaders in Anthony Brito, who hasn't played since game one, credit is due where credit is earned: the Sockeyes are playing tremendous defensive hockey.
The first period began a little tentatively, as both teams got settled and tried to find the pace with which game two ended on. Delta, once again, emerged as the team who carried the edge early on. They were throwing more shots towards the net, and seemed to have the better jump in their step. But as is the case in many situations with this Richmond Sockeyes team, one chance is all they need to completely swing the advantage and control back their way. That chance in game two would come midway through the first frame on the powerplay. Dean Allison, would find a loose puck in the slot after some nice movement on the man advantage to pop it up and over Alex Anhert for the second time this series. Allison continues to streak as the undisputed hottest Sockeye weapon in the playoffs - he now has 10 points in 7 games.
The second period was much of the same. Both teams saw a few chances and powerplays open up, but nothing too golden. Neither team wanted to give their opponent to many looks, but when there was an opening, both goalies were up to the task. Kootenay Alder was standing rock solid in the Sockeyes crease, and Alex Anhert was giving his giving his club a chance at the very least.
Penalties were the trend of the third period. Each team would receive back-to-back powerplays generating no lack of excitement as it remained 1-0 Richmond nearing the halfway mark of the period. Spencer Shoen, the Delta forward, would eventually take a high sticking penalty in the offensive zone that would prove costly. On the powerplay for the fifth time in the hockey game, the Richmond Sockeyes would make no mistake of putting this one dangerously out of reach for the slumping Ice Hawks. Jeremy Hamaguchi lifted one top shelf in tight on Anhert for his first in the series to put the Sockeyes up two with ten to play.
The last half of the third frame saw the Ice Hawks scramble for all they could create. They too, would end up on two powerplays, but came up with lackluster efforts at best. Kootenay Alder and his defensemen were everywhere at every angle, taking away shooting and passing lanes, and meeting every peak of physicality the Ice Hawks would try to throw at them. The Sockeyes were stronger on this night.
As the seconds ticked off the clock, you knew nobody would go quietly. The Ice Hawks needed to establish some sort of energy they could carry with them into game four. A light brouhaha ensued at the final buzzer, and consequently four players would be handed 10 minute misconducts: Ryan Cuthbert, Tanner Gattinger, Scott Wessa and Dominic Centis.
It goes without saying, this series is just starting to get good.
Three Stars:
1. Kootenay Alder
2. Scott Wessa
3. Dean Allison
The Sockeyes now jump on the road for game four at the Ladner Leisure Centre on Tuesday night, before re-taking to a lively 'Ru crowd on Thursday night in game five. Puck drop is at 7:30 pm, pre-game at 7:15 on Thursday - catch it all at www.richmondsockeyes.com.
Clearly, although it was as thrilling of a win as any, the Sockeyes bench boss knew it wasn't the most complete effort his club was capable of. Well, on Sunday, Richmond certainly took game three in their most convincing fashion thus far in this years' installment of the Tunnel Series as Kootenay Alder earned his second shutout of the post season by a 2-0 final.
In fact, interestingly enough, after the Sockeyes began the series not having scored through the first 80+ minutes of hockey before Dean Allison's marker in the second period of game two, it's now Delta who has caught the slump. The Ice Hawks haven't now scored a goal in 100+ minutes.
And while it must be considered that the Ice Hawks are currently hurting without one of their biggest leaders in Anthony Brito, who hasn't played since game one, credit is due where credit is earned: the Sockeyes are playing tremendous defensive hockey.
The first period began a little tentatively, as both teams got settled and tried to find the pace with which game two ended on. Delta, once again, emerged as the team who carried the edge early on. They were throwing more shots towards the net, and seemed to have the better jump in their step. But as is the case in many situations with this Richmond Sockeyes team, one chance is all they need to completely swing the advantage and control back their way. That chance in game two would come midway through the first frame on the powerplay. Dean Allison, would find a loose puck in the slot after some nice movement on the man advantage to pop it up and over Alex Anhert for the second time this series. Allison continues to streak as the undisputed hottest Sockeye weapon in the playoffs - he now has 10 points in 7 games.
The second period was much of the same. Both teams saw a few chances and powerplays open up, but nothing too golden. Neither team wanted to give their opponent to many looks, but when there was an opening, both goalies were up to the task. Kootenay Alder was standing rock solid in the Sockeyes crease, and Alex Anhert was giving his giving his club a chance at the very least.
Penalties were the trend of the third period. Each team would receive back-to-back powerplays generating no lack of excitement as it remained 1-0 Richmond nearing the halfway mark of the period. Spencer Shoen, the Delta forward, would eventually take a high sticking penalty in the offensive zone that would prove costly. On the powerplay for the fifth time in the hockey game, the Richmond Sockeyes would make no mistake of putting this one dangerously out of reach for the slumping Ice Hawks. Jeremy Hamaguchi lifted one top shelf in tight on Anhert for his first in the series to put the Sockeyes up two with ten to play.
The last half of the third frame saw the Ice Hawks scramble for all they could create. They too, would end up on two powerplays, but came up with lackluster efforts at best. Kootenay Alder and his defensemen were everywhere at every angle, taking away shooting and passing lanes, and meeting every peak of physicality the Ice Hawks would try to throw at them. The Sockeyes were stronger on this night.
As the seconds ticked off the clock, you knew nobody would go quietly. The Ice Hawks needed to establish some sort of energy they could carry with them into game four. A light brouhaha ensued at the final buzzer, and consequently four players would be handed 10 minute misconducts: Ryan Cuthbert, Tanner Gattinger, Scott Wessa and Dominic Centis.
It goes without saying, this series is just starting to get good.
Three Stars:
1. Kootenay Alder
2. Scott Wessa
3. Dean Allison
The Sockeyes now jump on the road for game four at the Ladner Leisure Centre on Tuesday night, before re-taking to a lively 'Ru crowd on Thursday night in game five. Puck drop is at 7:30 pm, pre-game at 7:15 on Thursday - catch it all at www.richmondsockeyes.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)