With the Ice Hawks coming off an impressive 6-3 win over Mission the previous Saturday, you knew that they were clearly “up” for this contest.
The Panthers have been struggling the past couple games losing games to Mission (7-5) only followed by a loss to the Pilots (5-2), but rebounding to the lowly Surrey Knights.
Delta’s coaching staff has engrained a winning confidence level in the team and rather than setting their sights on year-end, it’s more of a game to game plan, then revisiting this plan at month’s end.
October saw the Ice Hawks play eight (8) games with four on home ice and four away games out scoring the opposition by a 38-21 margin, yet managing to win 6 of the 8 games played.
The largest defeat came off the sticks of the Pilots where were handed a 5-2 loss and were not only out played, but out worked in all areas of the ice.
Putting October and the Halloween candy behind them, this game turns the page entering November as one goal the team has set it moving up can catching the first place Steelers.
Entering the game both teams had played 15 games with Delta holding a four point margin (18-14) in the standings in the Tom Shaw Conference.
The Panthers went with Demeter between the pipes while Delta sent in Naylor to tend the crease entering November.
Delta came and were resilient turning aside any attempt for the Panthers to get anywhere near Naylor.
After one Naylor wasn’t tested all that much and only faced 8 shots in the first while Delta peppered Demeter with 17 shots through one.
Delta’s strong forechecking allowed them to get the first goal of the game at 5:10 with Rubin popping one in after getting set-up from Cadwell and Epshtein.
Changing their offense was more of a “charge the net” approach and get to the dirty areas of the ice, which was mostly behind Demeter, who was clearly left alone most of the game.
Ice Hawks aggressive play proved successful for Trotman as he gave the Ice Hawks a 2-0 lead at 7:40 (minute and a half later) with Bogress and Stein setting him up.
The second started where the first ended with Demeter being tested from all areas of the ice and it wasn’t until 11:23 that former Ice Hawk Logan Hunter slipped one past Naylor to cut the lead to 2-1.
Some times trades don’t go as planned, but for Hunter it was a form of redemption, clearly knowing Naylor’s style of play.
Delta took advantage of a Panthers penalty with Bogress getting a PP marker at 15:50 from recent addition Nevan Flay and A/P call-up Isiah Hendricks taking a 3-1 lead.
Epshtein was tagged for hooking from Referee Ben Kiang at 16:31 allowing Delta to send out the penalty kill unit, to which they have a couple they could use.
This PK unit saw Georgeopoulos get his first of the season after taking a long stretch pass from Cheung allowing him to put one under Demeter on a never quit play.
This put Delta up 4-1 after two with Delta hammering 19 shots at Demeter while the Panthers sent 13 at Naylor.
Both teams had chances in the third, but it was Delta who out played the Panthers from the opening face-off.
Delta’s rookie line of D-man Magnus Cheung got his first of the season at 12:49 after taking a long pass from Suprynowicz and Lin to give Delta a 5-1 lead.
Not only was the goal impressive it was even more fun to watch the replay on Delta TV as it was a moment to remember.
While it might have been a strong game for Delta, the Panther pressed, but were unable to penetrate the attacking zone, nor get any quality shots on Naylor.
Delta’s other rookie forward Suprynowicz got the final marker of the game at 17:13 with Flay and A/P Hendricks both getting their second assist of the game.
I continue to focus on playing discipline and this game saw Delta take one minor while the Panthers took four on the night.
Delta outshot the Panthers by 52-30 margin going 25% on the PP while the Panthers went 0-1 in special teams.
While the game seemed lop-sided at times, it was a game for the record books.
As Delta TV’s broadcaster I can’t remember where the Ice Hawks have had two players score their first goal of the season in the same game – oh yea they kept the puck too!!
Game Stars:
1st Jordan Bogress 2nd Magnus Cheung 3rd Jordan Naylor
Delta’s next game see’s them face-off against the Surrey Knights in hopes of keeping the winning streak alive.
Here’s to a positive November – er: should I mention MOVEMBER!!!
submitted by S. Erickson/Delta TV
