Sockeyes get the job done, squeak by the tattered Panthers 3-2

On paper they are the worst team in the PJHL, but on Thursday the Port Moody Panthers proved to be a much tougher task on the ice as the Richmond Sockeyes were able to edge the feisty cats 3-2 at the 'Ru.

The Sockeyes managed to regain their lead atop the Tom Shaw Conference over the Delta Ice Hawks with the win - putting them one point ahead of their divisional rivals. With the squeezed-out victory, they also got back in the "win" column after a tough loss to the hot Aldergrove Kodiaks. Richmond has now won eight of their last ten.

The majority of the first period was about as sleepy as the winter weather outside. The Sockeyes had played the night before in their defeat to the hands of the Kodiaks, and it was quite evident it took them a while to get their legs going. The Port Moody Panthers, who came into the game with only a total of five wins on the season, stayed on par with the Sockeyes - not generating much offense at all, but did enough to make them look better than the bottom-feeding team they are. Finally in the last four minutes of the period, Stephen Campbell and Daniell Lange popped in one each past goaltender Angus Redmond to give the Sockeyes the lift they needed before heading to the dressing room. It stood 2-0 Sockeyes after one.

Coming into the second frame, it seemed that the Richmond powerhouse would've continued steamrolling the struggling Panthers, taking the easy route to an easy victory, but instead it proved to be quite the opposite. Dean Allison netted an absolute beauty as he streaked down the left wing to make it 3-0 Sockeyes, but that was as loud as Richmond would roar on Thursday night. The Sockeyes took a firm, yet still slightly unstable 3-0 lead into the third.

In the final period it seemed the Sockeyes would indeed coast to victory, but then about half way through the period, the Panthers finally found the energy to generate a roar of their own. Joshua Spence surprised Kootenay Alder to close the gap to 3-1, and then Spence struck again with under three minutes left to go to make it interesting, 3-2. In the dying stages of the game however, the Port Moody team showed examples of what truly stands to epitomize their entire season - troubles really getting anything going to give them a chance. It wasn't the prettiest piece of ice hockey the Sockeyes have ever put on display at the 'Ru, but it got the job done, closing out a 3-2 final over the panting Panthers.

Brief Game Notes:

1. Sockeyes: 0/1 on the powerplay

2. Final shot count: 42-23 for Sockeyes

3. Third victory over Port Moody this season

Scratches:

1. Bret Higham

2. Jake Roder

3. Dominic Centis 

Three Stars:

1. Daniell Lange

2. Joshua Spence

3. Rudi Thorsteinson

Be sure to catch the next home game vs. Abbotsford live from the 'Ru next Thursday, December 20th, on www.richmondsockeyes.com. Pre-game 7:20, puck drop 7:30 p.m.

Sockeyes keep rolling... and look who's back!

It was an emotional night at Minoru Arena. No, the Sockeyes were not playing a traditional rival. No, the game was never really in question for the home team. No, the game-winning goal did not come in the final minute of the third period or in overtime. Instead, sentiments emoted within the crowd and on the home bench with the return of a player - Jake Roder (@jakeroder) reminded all present what it took to win the 2010-11 PIJHL championship. The "Red Line" re-united again, since that great run. The onlookers on Thursday however, may argue that it was like they were never apart.

And what a triumphant return it was. Roder came back to the 'Ru and his former PJHL team, while playing alongside Rudi Thorsteinson (@rudithor) and Jeremy Hamaguchi (@guchh). He scored 2 goals and added an assist in a comfortable 6-1 for the Richmond Sockeyes. The Allison (@deanallison21), Tait (@danieltait94), Chichak (@shemchichak) line continued their hot streak by combining for 11 points. 

It was a lackluster showing for the visiting North Vancouver Wolf Pack - the last team in the conference coming into the game lived up to their current standing as they faced the red hot Sockeyes who are winners of 7 of their last 8.

Perhaps the only disappointment of the night for Richmond came with 2:40 left in the game, as Marcus Houck put the lone goal in for the visitors ruining William Latimer's (@goalieslut) bid for his second shutout in three games. Latimer's numbers as a Sockeye have been remarkable. His miniscule 0.75 GAA and .972 save percentage are signs that the 18-year-old has adapted to his new colours since leaving the Mission City Outlaws. 

Three Stars:

1. Sam Chichak

2. Daniel Tait

3. William Latimer