Hockey
Ice Hawks Force Game 7
The Delta Ice Hawks narrowly defeated the Richmond Sockeyes at the Ladner Leisure Centre 4-2 forcing a deciding game 7.The game will be played at the Minoru Arena Monday March 18th with the face-off set for 8:45 pm.
The winner of this series will play for the Tom Shaw Conference title against a well rested Aldergrove Kodiaks. Delta was down 3 games to 1 in the series but have battle back taking the last two games. The Ice Hawks led 1-0 after the opening period on a goal by Delbianco at 1:19 beating Kootenay Alder.
The game remained this way for a while, but the Sockeyes pressed for the equalizer but Ahnert was solid between the pipes for Delta. Alder for the Sockeyes was equal to the task and shots in the opening period were 14-7 for Delta. The second saw the Sockeyes get the equalizer from Heinen at 4:32 to even the game at one.
Delta struck back to commanding 3-1 lead on goals by Letourneau and Merrick scoring 2:38 apart beating Kootenay of the Sockeyes. Shots in the second were 15-9 for the Ice Hawks. Richmond continued to pound the Ice Hawks in the final period testing Ahnert with numerous chances, and then they were awarded a penalty shot at the 9:39 mark. Scott Wessa beat Ahnert narrowing the gap to 3-2 with ten minutes remaining.
The Sockeyes fired everything at the Ice Hawks but Ahnert shut the door to preserve the victory forcing a 7th and deciding game.
The Ice Hawks put the game away adding an insurance goal by Delbianco (second of the game) for a 4-2 final tally.
Ahnert made 23 saves, while Kootenay faced 47 shots making 43 saves giving his club a chance to put an end to the series.