Photo Credit Richmond Sockeyes
Having the privilage to promote the BC Special Olympics during one of the many games we did for the Richmond Sockeyes is indeed extremely special for Ian, Jagraj and myself.
Everyone just takes things for granted, while others struggle and work harder than you or I just to get things done and that is something that no one should take for granted – albeit some do!
I posted this earlier and was asked if I could post it again for your enjoyment so enjoy the read!!
For many the topic of discussion was on the upcoming first home game in the New Year, but for the Sockeyes they had their sights set on giving their support for the Richmond Special Olympics.
Many of the volunteers are Special Olympic Athletes who compete in various sports and are such a welcome addition to the Sockeyes Family assisting where they are needed.
The Sockeyes continue to dominate the league maintaining their first place hold with an impressive record of 33-2-0-2 allowing only79 goals in 36 games.
Thursday saw a return game in the “tunnel series” against their rival Delta Ice Hawks in game four which would see if they could pull the series even at two.
The return of Delta’s Yuji Akimoto adds the extra punch that they need as they enter the second half that saw him open the scoring at 10:36 which was short lived that saw Sockeyes Justin Grant pull even at 12:19 while on the PP.
The remainder of the first saw an evenly matched tempo game with Matthew Stewart getting the go-ahead goal at 15:56 only to have Delta’s Mateo Sjoberg even the score at 16:28 while killing a minor
Given the fast, tight checking game the first ended with Richmond outshooting Delta by a narrow 17-13 margin with Delta assessed a pair of minors to the one for Richmond.
The second started with Mattias Uyeda putting the home squad up on the PP at 3:57 which was followed by a short-handed marker from Teo Lin at 15:57 doubling up on the shots 18-9 after forty minutes.
The second was filled with penalties with Delta assessed six to Sockeyes four with both teams playing more disciplined in the third with Delta outshooting the Sockeyes 11-7.
The lone goal in the third was Justin Grant’s second of the game securing the win and tying the “Tunnel Series” at two.
Richmond controlled the game stars as Mattias Uyeda named first star, Justin Grant named the second star and Teo Lin third in a game that saw the Sockeyes outshoot Delta by a 42-33 margin.
Ironic as it sounds both clubs played a return game Sunday in a game that saw the Sockeyes dominate the first taking a 3-0 lead to the dressing room while leading the shots 11-5.
This game saw the Sockeyes start their newest signing goaltender Noah Stenvig who played for the Delta Hockey Academy while Delta’s Remy Quintoro suited up between the pipes with both playing a full sixty minutes.
The second saw Delta rebound in the goal department grabbing a pair with Billy Johal getting their first at 1:40 followed by their second at 12:34 from Mateo Sjoberg pulling within one.
A poor line change saw Delta assessed a minor for Too Many Men at 16:12 that Richmond’s saw Bryce Strandt get their fourth at 17:31 adding a second also on the power play at 17:55 with Matthew Stewart getting his sixth of the season.
Despite three penalties assessed in the second the Sockeyes maintained the lead sending 13 at Quintoro to the 11 directed at Stenvig.
Delta’s Tye Hemenway pulled his squad within two making it a 5-3 contest at 10:05 while Sockeyes William Huo got his 21st of the season doubling the score by a 6-3 margin securing the win and giving Richmond a 3-2 “Tunnel Series” lead.
Not only did the Sockeyes secure the “W” they also walked away with the three stars of the game that saw Delta outshoot by a 30-25 margin with the Sockeyes going two for two on the power play.
Richmond took two of the three stars with Matthew Stewart (1G/1A) named first star, William Huo (2G/1A) and Delta’s Tye Hemenway named third star.
The Sockeyes return home to the “Fish Tank” June 11th as they face off against the sixth place Port Moody Panthers at 7 pm.
The Sockeyes have five remaining home games prior to the playoffs with the final regular home season game February 8th against Mission City at 7 pm.
Thanks again to all the volunteers and our Special Olympics crew who come out faithfully to support the Richmond Sockeyes.
