Sockeye’s Winning Streak At 29

Photo Credit Richmond Sockeye’s

With the end of January coming to an end  the Sockeye’s played a “make-up” game on Monday the 29th  against White Rock that had been postponed due to the snow two weeks prior.

The match-up saw the Whalers start Mark Paton between the pipes while Richmond utilized the services of Noah Stenvig in a game that at times became somewhat heated.

The Sockeye’s were not just focused on winning but also keeping their winning streak going but this contest saw Cohen Massey (10) put the Whalers on the board at 7:20.

Richmond quickly replied that saw Alex Kielmann jump on a loose puck tying the game at 13:40 sending the teams to the dressing rooms tied at one after one.

The second started with the Whalers getting on the board first at 13:51 with Nathan Bran (27) getting the go-ahead goal only to have Mattias Uyeda (11) even the game at 17:00 as they wrapped up forty minutes.

At times the game was more of a coaching match-up that saw line juggling only to have Richmond’s Daniel Zhou (17) get the go-ahead goal at 6:03 with Teo Lin (22) giving the Sockeye’s a 4-2 win.

To no surprise Daniel Zhou ((1G/0A) was named first star while Mattias Uyeda (1G/0A) was second and Whalers Nathan Bran (1G/0A) collected third star recognition.

Three days later the Sockeyes played host to the visiting Langley Trappers in a contest that was more wide open with both teams having several chances to jump out with an early lead, which never happened until the third period.

With talent on display the low scoring game saw Langley assessed three minors in the first giving Richmond scoring chances which they were unable to capitalize on.

The switch in the second saw the Sockeye’s give up four power play chances to Langley only to be turned aside by the stellar play of Thomas Popa.

Try as they might the Sockeyes were unable to get anything past Maddox Osaka who at times stood on his head with saves fit for a pro that saw him stop 40 of the 42 he faced and to the surprise of everyone he wasn’t named as one of the stars!

Neither team were able to capitalize on their scoring chances until the third when Teo Lin (23) opened the scoring at 17:56 bringing the fans to their feet cheering on the home team.

Langley pulled Maddox Osaka giving them the man advantage in an attempt to get anything past Popa but were unable to penetrate the stellar play of the Sockeye’s that saw Gavin Bains 18 seal the win with an empty net goal at 19:46 for a 2-0 win.

Teo Lin (1G/0A) was named first star while Daniel Zhou (1G/0A) with Thomas Popa was named third with 12 saves many of which had “goal” written on the shots.

As if two games wasn’t enough in three short days the Sockeyes weren’t finished yet as less than 24 hours later they would suit up against the Ridge Meadows Flames in a fight for first place in the league.

Holding first place in league standings as well as keeping their 29 game winning streak going has added pressure on the team but motivation does wonders and this game was no different.

The game featured tight checking by both teams that saw the Flames start ‘tender” Matthew Candusso while Richmond started Calgary’s Thomas Popa.

Both were tested with close in shots that saw the teams trade goals in the opening period with Sockeye’s Captain Mathew Stewart (10) starting things off at 5:13 on the PP holding the lead until 16:58 when Jacob Douglas (7) pulled them even heading to the dressing room.

The Sockeye’s controlled the shots in the first peppering 13 at Candusso while Popa faced 5 in a period that saw the Flames assessed a pair of minors, both to Pierce Whyte giving Richmond two solid PP chances.

The second was scoreless that saw Ridge manage 11 shots on Popa while Candusso was tested with 13 who turned aside some quality shots that were aiming at turning on the red light.

Sockeye’s Nicholas Noren (32) opened the scoring in the 3rd at 1:16 only to have Zack Lagrange (20) pull Ridge even at 7:59 which added for an exciting finish.

Noren got his second of the game at 17:06 which proved to be the eventual winning goal forcing the Flames to play a dump and chase style looking at getting the even up goal with time ticking down.

Teo Lin got the one to cap off the win at 19:28 giving the Sockeye;s a 4-2 win keeping their winning streak alive as they look to wrap up the season on home ice as they face Mission City.

To no surprise both ‘tenders” were named first and second stars with Thomas Popa (SA 24/SV 22) named first, Matthew Candusso (SA33/SV 32) second star with Nicholas Noren (2G/0A) named third.

Prior to the game there will be a pre-game ceremony that will recognize their graduating 20-year old players with the Parents on ice for the special event.

Get ready for some exciting Sockeye’s Playoff Action in next week’s article.