Say what you will about the Ice Hawks but one things for sure and the fact is that  there’s simply no quitting for Delta who took the Aldergrove Kodiak’s to game six of the PJHL Championship series in a game six final game that went to double O/T to decide a winner.

When you look at the scope of the series the pressure realistically is on the Kodiaks who are the overall PJHL champions tally 72 total points throughout the season, with Delta being the runner up with 63 tied with the Steelers.

Delta were trailing in the series by a 3-0 performance by the Kodiaks forcing a game six when they played a “command performance” on the Kodiaks home in game five pulling out a 3-2 win in front of a sell-out crowd.

One might ask about a momentum swing and with this being the second consecutive win managing a 6-5 O/T thriller March 24th on home ice – the pressure is clearly on the Kodiaks.

Entering the game both coaches were content using the same line-up with two exceptions, that being Delta would sit Crompton whose presence is intimidating on all areas of the ice, while dressing Jonathan Stein, who sat the previous game and like it or not bench boss Darren Naylor stuck to his guns and sat the “big man”.

Looking at the stats of both goalies it’s interesting to note that Jordan Naylor had played in 15 games with 10 wins and only 5 losses, while Kodiaks Dawson Rodin had played in 14 games with 11 wins and only 3 losses.

In conversation with the Kodiaks coaching staff prior to the game they mentioned “they had to get more shots on Naylor and  capitalize on any and all chances Delta relinquished.”

In sticking to their game play they threw shot after shot at Naylor directing 15 in the first alone while Delta were able to only muster up 7, some of which were pure quality.

Aldergrove jumped out to an early lead while on the PP at 17:01 with Vilio getting the first of the game on a solo effort on a long shot mid-ice past a screened Naylor bringing the “Yaks” fans to life.

A short 43 seconds later while on the PP (18:44) Delta hammered shot after shot at Rodin with all the “dirty work” being done by both Cheung and Rubin sending an electrifying cross-ice pass to Cuthbert at the face-off dot on the right side sending one top shelf tying the game at one bringing the building to life.

Delta did however find themselves in penalty trouble at times in the first giving the Kodiak’s three opportunities while Aldergrove were stingy giving Delta only one.

The second started where the first left off with tempo being electric and the fans and yours truly enjoying every minute of the game, but this period saw Delta manage to get the go-ahead goal at 10:09 with young “speedster” Jonathan Stein dancing around the ice like he was auditioning for an upcoming episode of “Dancing With The Stars” slipping a pass to Methorst who again brought the fans to life.

As tight as the game was you knew that the Kodiak’s weren’t finished and a short 45 seconds later it was Kodiaks “sniper” Eric Callegari who was sent in by Leroux and Padgham tying the game (2-2) with the fans wondering what the outcome would be.

As with other games both “tenders” were stingy with Naylor being played like a “ragdoll” throwing himself from side to side and spinning like a top he somehow managed to keep the Kodiak’s off the board.

To no real surprise the Kodiak’s (again) out shot Delta in the period by a 15-8 margin leading through two doubling up by a 30-15 margin.

Following the second I had the chance to chat with Vancouver Stealth star player Logan Schuss who mentioned that “he regularly follows the Ice Hawks in his down time and appreciates seeing local talent in the line-up.”

Considering he (Logan) just returned from practice I appreciate his time and support shown for the team and not to be outdone, I should mention that Larry Krause who is the BC Hockey Officiating Development Coordinator drove in from Abbotsford to talk about the officiating program in place in BC. Thanks to both for the time!

Both teams came out in the third with more jump knowing the pressure and being realistic there was probably more pressure on Aldergrove as if they let Delta pull out a win forcing a game seven after being up by 3-0 in the series it might just be a miracle if they manage to pull off a win.

Working on pulling off a win and forcing a game seven saw Delta come out with more urgency hammering shot after shot at Rodin managing to equal the first two period shot totals forcing Rodin to make some remarkable astounding saves keeping Delta of the board, while the Kodiaks managed one better than the first or second finishing the third with 16.

An O/T thriller unlike any other, with no one leaving and while the crowd were on their feet, Delta TV reporter (Crystal) and color person (Greg) were almost in tears knowing the end was near for our last broadcast of the 2016-17 season on Delta TV.

The first ten minute O/T period offered nothing other than spectacular excitement at both ends of the ice with no one quitting and shift after shift it was simply all or nothing!!

After the first as per the rules, we had an ice clean followed by 20 minute sudden victory periods which could be endless.

Both teams had chance after chance and Delta again found themselves in penalty trouble at 6:13, but with strong defensive play they managed to keep the Kodiaks off the board keeping the game tied at two.

The Kodiaks hammered Naylor with shot after shot forcing him to make more outstanding saves and after digging the puck out of the corner it was Kodiaks Cameron Davitt who was thirty feet inside the blueline in the slot who managed to sent one past Naylor at 12:12 of period five sealing the championship for the Kodiaks

No one left the building and when the game winner was scored the Kodiaks were almost hysterical with delight knowing they had punched their ticket through to the Cyclone Taylor Cup held in Creston beginning April 6th.

Both teams were again stingy with the special teams unit as Aldergrove were 1-6 (16.7%) while Delta was 1-3 for 33.3%.

The game and the series was well officiated by all the officials used who “let the boy’s play” while taking the necessary infraction and keeping the game safe.

To the surprise on no one the game’s three stars were as we had predicted

1st Cameron Davitt (game winning goal)

2nd Jordan Naylor (54 shots – allowing 3 goals)

3rd Dawson Rodin (47 shots – allowing 2 goals)

Delta’s top point getter in the playoffs was Cameron Cuthbert who played in 16 games managing 5 goals, 13 assists with 1.1 point per game tallying three PP goals with 12 PIM’s.

As the season wraps up Delta loses some key (overage) players and we want to thank them for their dedication, hard work and commitment throughout the season and we wish them all the best moving forward.

As the season comes to a close I would like to “thank” the Delta Ice Hawks for allowing color person Greg Ballock, sideline reporter Crystal Scuor, Steve Daniel ace stat guru and myself behind the scene with the Ice Hawks to keep the viewing public up to date for all games.

It was a fantastic experience we soon won’t forget and thanks to everyone who tuned into Delta TV 10 to catch the game action each and every Tuesday.

We look forward to next season and can’t wait to see what the 2017-18 season has in store for it’s fans.