Sockeyes Host Annual PJHL Showcase

The holiday break saw the Sockeyes again host the annual PJHL Winter Classic that saw changes this season given that the league has split into two Conferences as the leagues move forward entering a new chapter.

The Sockeyes along with Delta Ice Hawks, Burnaby Steelers, Langley Trappers, Po. Coq Trail Blazers, Ridge Meadows Flames, Chilliwack Jets and the Coastal Tsunami are playing in the Tier Conference which allows them to be eligible to compete for the National Championship.

The Tier 2 Conference played their winter classic at the new expanded arenaIn addition the PJHL will have each Conference host their own championship being played at the new Cloverdale Sports & Ice Complex.

The change or division within the league made it easier for each conference to organize the schedule as well as making the days much shorter for the volunteers to organize their schedules.

The Sockeyes kicked off the Winter Classic hosting the Delta Ice Hawks who ironically were the home team that saw them jump out to an early 2-0 lead at 9:59 that saw Bryce Strand get his first goal of the season.

The Sockeyes continued to press with Captain Teo Lin (18) putting them up 2-0 while on the power play thanks to Ryder Dunn sitting in the box allowing the home squad various additional open ice chances.

Delta continued to press, attempting to get more shots on goal only to be turned aside by the stellar play of Sockeyes Massimo Urbani that saw Delta getting a late PP goal from Colin Jang at 19:55 as the Sockeyes dominated the shots after one by a 20-8 margin.

The second saw more of an open-ice game with both teams getting several close-in chances that allowed the Sockeyes to get a pair of markers from William Huo (12) at 15:33 with a second from Kai Adano (6) at 16:28.

The second came to an end with the Sockeyes again controlling the shots, sending 15 at Armaan Kails while Delta managed only 8 shots directed at Sockeyes Massimo Urbani.

Delta’s Liam McLeod got their second of the game at 13:11 making it a 4-2 contest only to have Brody Lindal (16) put the Sockeyes up 5-2 at 13:31, a short 20 seconds later for the  final goal of the game.

Richmond outshoot the Ice Hawks by a dominating 50-25 finishing with 2 goals on five power play chances while Delta was only able to get one goal on five chances.

Richmond took all three stars with Kai Adano (1 goal/1 assist) named first star, David Yoon (1 assist) second star with Bryce Strand (1 goal) named third star.

The second game of the Winter Classic saw the Sockeyes as the home team the following day hosting the Langley Trappers in a disciplined contest with the officials assessing three minors to Langley while the Sockeyes were assessed one.

Sockeyes Dylan Nazareth (26) opened the scoring at 2:12 of the second with helpers to Brendan Quinn-Lagrai and William Huo setting up their second of the contest from David Yoon (29) at 6:44 with Quinn Orr starting things from the back end.

Trappers Nabeel Moledina got them on the board at 9:31 followed by Sockeyes Brody Lindal giving them a 3-1 lead with Jonathan Zhang and Bryce Strandt starting the play from the back end.

Langley continued to press, managing to pull within one at 17:09 with Finlay Johnson managing to get the Trappers second of the game that proved to be a motivation goal for Richmond. 

Calgary’s Keelan Wyke rounded out the scoring in the first getting his 6th of the season after taking a stretch pass from Nick Kovich and Beaudy Beaudin.

The second saw the Trappers narrowly outshoot the Sockeyes 23-22 setting up what would be an exciting third with Richmond’s Brody Lindal getting his second of the game a short 40 seconds in.

Langley responded at 11:17 with Easton Melanson making it a 5-3 contest which would be as close as they  would get on the scoreboard being outshoot 33-29 heading home with the loss.

Brody Lindal (2 goals) was named the games 1st star, Quinn Orr (2 assists) 2nd star with Trappers Easton Melanson named third star.

January started off with the Sockeyes taking their road show to Ridge Meadows in a contest that saw the Flames Max Wingrove open the scoring at 7:02 followed by the Sockeyes trying the contest at 7:28 with David Yoon (30) getting his  30th of the season.

The close aggressive contest saw the Sockeyes get a late goal at 19:02 with Dylan Nazareth (27) getting the go-ahead marker taking a 2-1 lead after twenty minutes outshooting Ridge by a 16-5 margin.

Flames opened the scoring early in the second trying the game at two with Samuel Allan breaking in the left side hammering home a quick release short-handed even up goal.

Penalty prove costly that saw Ridge score on the power play goal at 13:37 grab the lead only to have Sockeyes Dylan  Nazareth (28) pull them even at three at 15:37 while playing shorthanded.

Ridge continued to press only to have all shots turned aside by Georgie Milanov which allowed Sockeyes Keelan Wyke (9) grab the eventual game winning goal at 4:59.

Dylan Nazareth (2 Goals/1 Assist) was named games first star, Flames Marco Oliviero second star with David Yoon (1 goal/1 assist) named third star.

The Sockeyes had the following day off setting up a meeting in Chilliwack against the Jets in a chippy contest that saw Richmond pull out a 4-1 win staying in first place in the Tom Shaw Conference with 32 wins, 4 losses, twenty four points ahead of the Flames with 64 points stealing all three game stars.

Following the  impressive win Sockeyes Head Coach Scott Hewson has the task of keeping players motivated, telling the players “ staying focused, playing our game will produce wins” with all teams having their sights on the Sockeyes.

The Sockeyes return home Thursday January 8th taking on the visiting Delta Ice Hawks at the “Fish Tank” at 7 pm.

The Sockeyes wish you and your Family a Very Happy New Year!!!!