As pivotal as game two was, there was a moment where nothing was going wrong for Delta especially jumping out to an early goal with youngsters Alex Suprynowicz and Tyson Lin acting like “Houdini” working magic in the Kodiaks zone.
Both teams stuck for the most part with the line combination that got them to this stage of the PJHL finals, with one exception that Delta relied on two AP’s while the Kodiaks used one.
With players missing or sitting from the line-up it was clear that pressure was on both rosters to “dig deep” in what would be an exciting game from start to finish.
The Kodiaks found themselves in penalty trouble early in the game with someone missing an assignment taking a minor for two many men at the 3:21 mark turning aside all Delta shots at Dawson Rodin.
Kodiaks A/P Lincoln Lane rang one off the post at early in the period followed by a “bullet” from Trotman, which was first blocked, then turned aside.
De Waal had a chance nearing the 15 minute mark, but Naylor stood his ground giving Delta’s “D” to hammer Callegari at the side of the net taking any Kodiaks chance away.
Delta managed to hold on to the one goal lead heading to the dressing room and leading in the shot department 8-5, with the Kodiaks focusing on a stronger second.
The second started as strong as the first with both clubs getting chance after chance and it wasn’t until 4:37 that Callegari was called for tripping putting Delta on the PP.
It took a short 24 seconds for Delta’s Harris Pearce to get set-up from Cuthbert and A/P Isiah Hendricks to jump out to a 2-0 lead.
From this point it was someone forgot to set the alarm as Delta was caught napping for the next eleven minutes allowing the Kodiaks to not only jump to the lead but control the game.
Derian White made it a 2-1 game at 12:17 followed by the tying goal at 15:24 from Matt Oliver that sent the fans in a firzy.
One could sense the moment shift and we knew that it wouldn’t be long before Delta gave up the third of the game and as in the period.
True to form, the Kodiaks didn’t disappoint the fans and a short 51 seconds later they took control of the lead and never looked back.
Three goals in a span of 3:58 Delta “sold the farm” and from this point on it was though they simply ran out of gas!!
Aldergrove hammered 21 quality shots at Naylor, while all Delta could find were 7, which was one more than they had in the first.
Outshot 26-15 through two wasn’t what the Coaching staff expected from the “guys”, especially after such a dominate first game, which they also lost.
Charging the net can prove costly at 1:50 of the third when Crompton was called for Goaltender Interference putting the Kodiaks on the PP once again.
On a breakout play from their zone Delta was tagged with a minor for Too Many Men, again putting the Kodiaks on the PP forcing Naylor to make some remarkable stops to keep Delta within one.
Confusion proves costly and the poor line change gave the Kodiaks the chance they were looking for at putting a “nail in the coffin” for the Ice Hawks sealing the win.
Kodiaks Cameron Davitt got the PP marker at 9:47 after taking a setup pass from White and Bosko bringing the overflow crowd to their feet.
Marsh delivered two solid hits midway through the period, followed when Crompton was robbed at 15:49 when Rodin stole the show.
One could sense the frustration from Delta and with pressure mounting following a dump-in
Delta’s Crompton and Pearce tangled with Kodiaks Lagler and Padgham behind the Aldergrove net giving the fans in the lobby quite the show.
Both Crompton and Lagler were assessed Majors for Fighting plus Game Misconducts, while Pearce and Padgham were handed Misconducts all at the 17:30 mark of the third.
Shortly after this Delta called a T/O to set up a play leaving Jordan Naylor on the bench for some added punch, but they failed to work any magic and with a short 2:30 remaining bench boss Darren Naylor sent in Cooper Anderson to finish off the game.
While Anderson has yet to play in any games in the playoffs for the 2-16-17 season, he never looked out of place and managed to face three quality shots, which he turned aside.
Delta drops both games to the Kodiaks and some are pondering if Delta will stick with the original line-up or make chances, such as in net, giving Anderson the start.
The stats were what shocked me more than anything and in conversation with
November 8, 2013 – Richmond, BC – Steve Daniel is responsible for keeping track and verifying statistics for the CFL, photographed in his home. Photo by Jimmy Jeong
Delta TV stats person Steve Daniel the official stats person for the CFL, he pointed out that while Delta was given credit for three shots on goal, they actually only had one.
Another interesting stat was that Delta allowed Padgham to have 14 attempts, managing 8 shots while delivering 5 hits.
Other final game stats worth noting:
Aldergrove Delta
Shots on Goal 39 13
Attempts 68 35
Face-offs Won 37 28
Hits 24 23
Defensive Zone Giveaways 5 7
PP’s 1-7 1-3
Game Stars:
1st Matt Oliver (1 goal/1 assist )
2nd Derian White (1 goal/1 assist)
3rd Kyle Bosko (2 assists)
Delta returns to home ice Tuesday March 21 at the Ladner Leisure Center for a 7:35 face-off in hopes of getting back in the series.
The theme for game three for the Ice Hawks should be the same as the recording by the Bee Gee’s recording for the 1977 movie Saturday Night Fever – “Stayin Alive”.
Which for them was a Huge Hit moving forward!!!
