The Richmond Sockeyes forgot to tell their fans about the September deal of getting two games for the price of one.
Just two weeks into the Pacific Junior Hockey League season and it’s been quite the roller-coaster ride already for the “Cardiac Kids.”
In three games, they have been outscored in the opening two periods by a combined total of 13-4. They have countered that by dominating the final 20 minutes to the tune of 8-1.
It adds up to a fitting 1-1-0-1 record heading into tonight’s road tilt against Langley before returning home Thursday to host the Delta Ice Hawks at 7 p.m.
The Sockeyes opened the campaign at Minoru Arenas by overcoming a 5-2 third period deficit to trim the North Vancouver Wolf Pack 6-5 in overtime. A week later, they nearly did it again.
They were trailing the Port Moody Panthers 4-1 with 3:37 left when Tyler Andrews went to work. The 20-year-old captain scored on the power play then struck again 71-seconds later. He completed his hat trick with just three seconds remaining to send the game to overtime.
The Panthers ended the wild affair by pulling out a 5-4 win.
Two nights later, the Sockeyes found themselves in the same predicament in Mission. The host Outlaws took a 4-1 lead into the third and held off more heroics from Andrews for a 5-3 victory.
“It’s hard to put a finger on what exactly is behind it,” said Sockeyes head coach Steve Robinson of his team’s slow start and strong finishes. “Obviously, we are not playing with the same level of urgency that we are late in games. We are certainly leaving ourselves a big hill to climb.”
“Even though we ended up losing (to Port Moody) it probably was a better lesson in the long run than had we won that way for the second straight game. Then they’re thinking they can always just pull out wins in the end.”
Robinson figures it’s an unusual trend that will correct itself. Backing him up is the fact the Sockeyes outshot their opponents by a wide margin in both home games. At some point, secondary scoring will also emerge.
Andrews has been a one-man wrecking crew with a league-best 11 points and seven goals. His linemate — Nicolas Bizzutto — has five points and Tyler Paterson four. No other Sockeye has more than two points and Andrews has also outscored his entire team (7-5).
“I told the guys we just have to stick to the process and the pucks will start going in,” added Robinson. “There is always a bit of a chemistry issue with new players at the start of the season but there are other proven scorers on this team and the chances have been there.
“Tyler has been unbelievable for us and it’s been in all three phases of the game too.”
The Sockeyes will also soon have more stability in net.
Veteran Jacob Latrace has missed the last two games due to school commitments at UBC. He will be unavailable for two others, including tonight, and that will be it for the balance of the season. Back-up Evan McCune got the start against Port Moody, while Seafair Juvenile affiliate Hardarshan Hoonjan made 32 saves in Mission.
Icing…
There is a new wrinkle added to the Sockeyes’ rivalry with the Delta Ice Hawks. The winner of the season series will receive the “Battle of the Tunnel” Trophy. The teams will meet four times — twice each in Richmond and Ladner.
Delta enters this week’s play as the lone remaining team in the league with a perfect record at 3-0-0.
