Heading To Round Two

As the Ice Hawks prepared for game five on home ice, it was important not to give the Wolfpack any chances that they might be able to capitalize on.

Delta needed this win not only in order to advance, but also keep the confidence building knowing that they were capable of the win and advancing to the Conference finals.

The Ice Hawks dropped the first and only game of the series on home ice, so they know the importance of playing strong in front of their home fans and not letting North Van back in the series with a win.

It’s one game at a time and knowing that, it’s important for everyone to play a full sixty (60) minutes and not taking a shift off letting the Wolfpack back in the series.

Delta started Naylor who has played stellar throughout the series, while North Van went with Forster who did everything except turn the net around to stop Delta.

While the game started out tentative both teams had several chances from various angles but all were turned aside by both tenders.

Delta’s game plan seemed to be to hammer any and all shots at the net capitalizing on any rebound that might open up, which they were a few, some good – some not so good.

Given the play of Delta it wasn’t too shocking to see them leading in shots directed at Forster outshooting North Van by an 11-7 margin after one with neither team managing to score.

Referee Trevor Nolan and linesman had a relatively calm night by all indications only having to assess a total of 11 minor penalties, five of which went to North Van and six to Delta.

Jordan Deyrmenjian opened the scoring on the PP at 10:35 of the second with helpers going to Cheung and Rubin.

North Van continued to press and got one at 13:46 with Holonko getting set up from Versluis and Tadey putting one in on the short side tying the game at one and seeing both clubs take a 1-1 draw to the dressing room after two.

The second would end with the game tied at one and Delta continuing to outshot North Van by a 10-4 margin in the second.

Delta wired a high shot at Forster who took it directly off the mask sending him to the ice for an extended period of time while being attended to by Wolfpack trainer Grant Ammann.

Under the watchful eye off Grant and Forster’s Parents he resumed play and seemed to get stronger as the game progressed.

The third started tentative with North Van managing to press capitalizing on a long stretch pass seeing Versluis getting set up from Holonko and So to take a 2-1 lead at 6:27.

A hush and came over the crowd like new fallen snow and had the crowd reflecting back to game one of the series thinking the series would be heading to game six in North Van.

Delta’s “tender” Jordan Naylor was “bumped” at the side of the crease causing trainer Wayne Hubbard mend Naylor with him staying in the game.

Coach Naylor called a T/O with under two minutes remaining in the third setting up a play that would eventually pay dividends, but not until the 18:32 mark.

Passing, when done right is extremely interesting and entertaining to watch and the set-up from Deyrmenjian and Cuthbert to slid one over to Pearce to get the tying goal was one of the better one of the season.

Delta again found themselves in penalty trouble being assessed a minor at the 19 minute mark, but managed to hold off North Van’s strong PP unit.

With the third winding down the teams were tied at two and the shots in the third were tied at nine, rounding out a 30-20 shot total after three in favour of Delta.

Overtime is different than regular season O/T as they square off on this night 5 on 4 due to the PP and as strong as North Van played, Delta outplayed them in all areas of the ice.

Delta killed off the minor and resumed to play 5 on 5 a minute into the O/T stanza with both clubs getting chance after chance, but it remained tied at two.

Delta’s speedster Jordan Deyrmenjian broke in on the left side and hammered one low to the right post past a shocked Forster to give Delta the victory allowing them to advance to the Conference Finals.

The crowd erupted and Deyrmenjian skated off in his traditional manner of celebration only to be mobbed by the entire team.

Delta’s goal and dream of making the Conference final is only the beginning to the long journey and given their play on this night – the long and winding road is just beginning.

Game Stars:

1st Jordan Deyrmenjian (2 goals/1 assist)

2nd Cameron Cuthbert (1 assist)

3rd Alex Forster (31 shots/28 saves)

Special teams on this night seemed non-existent with Delta going 1-4 (25%) and North Van unable to manage any PP’s going 0-5.

Delta TV’s unsung hero selection on this night goes to Delta’s #9 Gary Dhaliwal who played exceptional not only having chances, but setting several up as well.

Reflecting on the overall PP’s for the series see’s Delta manage 5 goals on 24 chances, while North Van managed 4 goals on 22 PP’s.

Delta earns a couple of days rest and await to play the winner of the Steelers/Sockeyes series.

The start time and date for the next round of the Tom Shaw Conference final series will be posted on the Delta Ice Hawks website, so stay tuned.

I think everyone can assume that the next series won’t be a four game sweep!!

Thanks to Bruce Nolte for info.