Consistent Play Gives Sockeyes Win

Photo Credit Richmond Sockeyes

October ended with the Sockeyes holding top spot in the PJHL that has them focused on a game to game strategy rather than a season ending one.

Playing against last season’s expansion team the Port Coquitlam Trailblazers they knew that they would be hard pressed to pull out a win.

We continue to talk about  how the key for success relates to two areas which are playing a full sixty minutes along with discipline helps to build a championship team which the Sockeyes know and understand.

Entering the game saw a focused Sockeyes team head home in what was a controversial overtime shootout loss against the Abbotsford Pilots that went down to the last Abby shooter getting the win for the home team.

Having days off builds confidence which allows time to reflect on set plays working on both their power play unit along with their penalty kill which in today’s game is essential to winning.

Working along with the local minor hockey Association featured the 7th man pregame along with a mini minor game after the first period which is always a fan favorite for all Sockeyes home games.

Po Coq managed to get on the scoreboard at the 1:51 mark first opening while on the power play that seemed to be a turning point which seemed to be a wake-up call for the home team featuring more aggressive play.

Richmond replied with Callum Lind bringing the fans to their feet with Kai McComb and Bryce Stradt setting him up from the back end after a long stretch pass.

This was followed up with goals from Daniel Zhou at 5:25 and Callum \Lind’s second of the game only to have Teo Lin complete the scoring on the PP giving the Sockeyes a 4-1 lead at the 12:51 mark.

Port Coquitlam got their second of the period from Blake Van Straten at 16:43 that saw the first end with Richmond holding a 4-2 lead after twenty minutes that saw one penalty to each club.

The second started with the Sockeyes coming out with more jump with Eithan Grishin getting his second of the season at 4:32 with helpers going to Grant and Soares.

This opened the game that saw more of a fast open ice style of play from both teams which saw Richmond get their second of the period with William Huo bringing the fans to their feet once again. 

The second saw the Trailblazers outshoot by a 17-7 margin and 40-14 after forty minutes that would see the fans entertained to an exciting third.

The third was all Richmond with goals from Justin Grant at 6:36 followed by one from Gavin Sangara to round out the scoring that saw the Sockeyes manage a 8-2 win.

The third saw Richmond pepper shots at Trailblazers Evan Paul who faced 55 shots while Thomas Popa faced 20 for his 11th win in a contest that saw 13 penalties dealt from the officials.

The Sockeyes play host to the Abbotsford Pilots at “The Fish Pond” Minoru Arena Thursday November 9th at 7 pm.

November 16th the Sockeyes host the Ray Sawada Jersey Retirement night. 

Three Stars:

1st Callum Lind (2G/0A)

2nd Willian Huo (1G/1A)

3rd Kai McComb (0G/1A)