Sockeyes Alumni Game Draw’s Record Numbers

In recent conversation with Sockeyes Head Coach Scott Hewson I asked about how he has managed to get the players to be so productive when it comes to scoring, which he replied “I told them at training camp that I strongly believe in what they bring to the team and will help them develop their skill level to advance their career.”

When you look from the outside for the coaching staff to have confidence in their players it’s no 

wonder why they players go above and beyond what they are asked to do or in this case play albeit changing their skill level.

The Sockeyes enter the mid-part of the season and make their way to play against the Langley Trappers at the Lodge which is the former home in the late 70ties of the Langley Lords who played in the defunct BCJHL.

Teams come and go by the wayside but for the PJHL growth is on the upswing with the most recent addition of the Coastal Tsunami who play out of Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast who are attracting record numbers.

The fan base attracted by each club but mainly the Richmond Sockeyes is on the upswing which not only helps the team but is a huge motivation for the players who are thrilled to play in front of a solid fan base.

The Sockeyes for the past few seasons continue to get a record number of goals as well as shots on goal at the opposition either at home or away and in the case of visiting the Trappers who finished with 28 while the Sockeyes finished with 39 shots.

Sockeye’s David Yoon (38) opened the scoring 2:21 in the first after being set up from Kai Adano and Dylan Nazareth on the PP with Avraham Brown serving a minor for Roughing.

The first twenty minutes of play finished with only goal scored outshooting the Trappers by a 18-19 margin with the Sockeyes adding another pair in the second with Brendan Quinn-Lagria getting his second of the season while Dylan Nazareth collected a goal on the PP making it his 33rd of the season.

The third saw no scoring from either squad with the teams trading nine penalties allowing the Sockeyes to finish pulling out a 3-0 win in a game that saw a penalty shot awarded to David Yoon who was unable to get one past Beckham Brossard in the third.

The following night saw the Sockeyes hit the road to visit the Ridge Meadow Flames who are hot on the heels looking to make headway on their rival Sockeyes who have had their number outshooting them this season by a commanding 32-14 in their six meetings this season.

While the game was entertaining by now each team knew they wouldn’t win sitting in the sin-bin with the Flames taking a dozen minors while the visiting Sockeyes were assessed nine.

This contest saw the Sockeyes steal a 6-3 win heading home to play the following night in the annual Alumni game that would see them play in front of a sell-out crowd.

Alumni games are a game that allows the players to have fun playing against former Sockeye players who have either finished their career as a Sockeye or advanced to play in the pro level of the game as some have.

The day wasn’t just for the Alumni game but also a day that saw the Vancouver Canucks host a skills clinic that saw both Kirk McLean and “Fin” on hand to both teach and entertain everyone who signed up for the afternoon event.

While the game was extremely entertaining we should let you know that you can rewatch the game on the Sportswave.ca site listed under the video tab as VOD with no charge for watching.

As ironic as it sounds the game actually went to a 3 on 3 O/T that saw the overpowering Alumni pull out the win.

Regardless of the final score in the game, everyone was a winner that has everyone waiting until the 2027 Alumni game that I’m hearing that players are on the “wait list” to sign up to fill the roster.

Following the “fun game” the team’s next opponent would be the visiting Coastal Tsunami in a game that saw them pull out another 6-3 win in a game that was dominated from the opening face-off 11 seconds in.

From the opening face-off the Sockeyes Nick Kovich notched his 12th of the season that led the charge in both the first with Bryce Strandt getting his 2nd of the season with the first period dominated by the Sockeyes outshooting the visiting Tsunami by a 20-5 tally.

They continued their scoring streak in the second with goals from Dylan Nazareth (34), Beaudy Beaudin (20) with David Yoon (40) rounding out the scoring in the second heading into the final twenty that should have been an easy final twenty.

The third was like watching an Abbott and Costello movie with someone flipping the switch that saw the visitors get the first of three opening the final twenty a short 1:46 in followed by one from Luke Curtain getting his 19th of the season on the PP only to be followed by his 20th making it 5-3 with all pressure on the Sockeyes.

Say what you will, you could have heard a “pin drop” in the building with many close to the broadcast booth expecting the Tsunami to make it a 5-4 contest.

From the broadcast booth you could see the frustration on the players let alone the coaching staff thinking “well that wasn’t fun” sending a loud and clear message for the team to finish with a much stronger play, which they did.

The final goal of the season saw Captain Teo Lin get his 19th of the season at 17:15 that saw the final minutes of the game put more pressure on the home squad.

Sockeyes Haiden Heide got the win for the Sockeyes finish stopping 17 of the 20 shots he faced while visiting Tsunami Austin Kindrat faced 59 shots managing to stop 53 through sixty minutes.

The Sockeyes enter the final month doubling up 6-3 on their visit to the “Lodge” over the Langley Trappers with five regular season games remaining, three of which are home at “The Fish Tank.”

Through the first 44 games the Sockeyes hold a record of 39 wins. 5 losses for 78 points managing to grab 234 goals allowing 96 against.

Swing by the Broadcast booth and say “hi” and enjoy exciting Sockeyes hockey!!!