Say what you will the luck of the Irish wasn’t with the Delta Ice Hawks for the opening game for the PJHL Championship Final for game one, but tomorrow’s another day.

If ever Delta was motivated for a game this was it and in conversation with the “guy’s” prior to the game it was clear to see they were in good “spirits” and just maybe I was looking for a bit of the Irish luck to help out.

Delta came out aggressive, but not foolish so as to have penalty problems and the heavy hitting never really began until the five minute mark that saw  Marsh get open, tipping the puck wide by only inches.

Aldergrove were tagged with a minor for tripping sending Delta on the PP at 7:45 and with 18 seconds remaining in the PP Trotman hammered one home putting Delta up 1-0.

DeWaal was went in home alone forcing Naylor to make an exceptional glove save keeping the game 1-0 for the Ice Hawks.

Kodiak’s Padgham connected a high hit at mid-ice and was send off for a tripping at 7:45 again putting Delta on the PP, this time being turned aside from all areas of the ice.

The first remained fast paced with both teams getting chance after chance only to be stopped by both Jordan Naylor who finished the first with 13 saves and Dawson Rodin who managed 12 for the Kodiak’s.

Heading to the room after one wasn’t the start that Delta were looking for, but I think it’s fair to say that these are the two best teams in the PJHL facing off for the Championship, so it wasn’t a real surprise.

Kodiak’s came out to start the second with more jump and going on an early PP with Wideski sent off for tripping at 1:55, which paid dividends as Callegari got the Kodiak’s on the board at 2:01 (six seconds later) tying the game at one.

In what I would call probably the prettiest passing plays ever seen the line of Prior, Lin and Suprynowicz worked magic and dazzled Rodin making a three-way pass in front of the net, that eventually saw Prior put Delta up 2-1 at 12:59.

Delta fought hard and managed to kill off two additional minors in the second keeping it a 2-1 game after two, which could have easily changed as Oliver rang one off the crossbar with mere seconds remaining as the period wrapped up.

The Kodiak’s hammered Naylor with 12 shots, 25 through two, while Rodin was peppered with 14 for a two period total of 26.

To the surprise of no one both clubs came out aggressive with De Waal sending an early shot off the crossbar at 1:32 only to be followed by Trotman repeating the action at 4:45 with Delta remaining up 2-1.

The Kodiaks were sending shots on net from both corners in hopes of a possible rebound with traffic in front seeing Naylor tested on several occasions, turning all shots aside.

Kodiaks Matt Oliver tied the game at two at 8:16 after taking a pass from Davitt, which for a short while sent “shock waves” through the team, but the Coaching staff kept them focused.

Aldergrove continued to press eventually getting the third and game winner at the 13:00 mark of the period giving the first lead of the game.

At times the game was “chippy” but not an overly foolish match-up and the sell-out crowd were voiceterious all game, regardless of who they were cheering for.

Try as they might, Delta was unable to pull of any magic in game one and even after calling a T/O and pulling Naylor to the bench, they were unable to force O/T.

Both teams played a disciplined game that saw Delta going 1-2 on the PP, while the Kodiaks were 1-3.

Delta outshot the Kodiaks in the shot department by a narrow 37-35 margin through three periods, but were simply unable to steal game one of the series.

For my money although the Kodiaks came out victorious, Delta was the stronger team, but were simply unable to capitalize on chances.

Game two goes March 18th at the Aldergrove Community Centre with the face-off set for 7:30 pm.

Game Stars:

1st Cameron Davitt (2 assists)

2ns Mark Trotman (1 goal/strong overall game)

3rd Eric Callegari (1 goal)

Game three is played in Delta at the Ladner Leisure Centre Tuesday March 21st at 7:35 pm and four of the series is played also in Delta at the Leisure Center Friday March 24th at 7:35 pm.

Come out and support your DELTA ICE HAWKS!!!