Matthew Bissett showed exactly what he is capable of providing the Richmond Sockeyes.
The 19-year-old returned to the line-up last week after missing a month’s worth of action to record a hat trick in a 6-3 road victory over the Abbotsford Pilots on Friday. The result improved the Sockeyes’ record to 16-4-2-3 and leaves them just three points back of the Tom Shaw Conference leading North Vancouver Wolf Pack with a whopping five games in hand.
Bissett was acquired last June after a pair of productive seasons with his hometown Ridge Meadows Flames. After scoring 31 goals and 50 points in just 33 games as a rookie, he added 25 more goals last season and was named the team’s co-MVP. He now has 13 points in 16 games for Richmond and is expected to be a key contributor as the Pacific International Junior Hockey League regular season heads into the stretch run.
Ayden MacDonald, Justin White and John Wesley had the other goals. Dominic Centis chipped in with a pair of assists.
Kootenay Alder was solid between the pipes, turning aside 43 shots. Two nights earlier, the 20-year-old Richmond native made 26 saves in a 2-0 home ice win over the Port Moody Panthers.
Blueliner Jordan Andrews’ goal in the late stages of the first period stood up as the winner. MacDonald added an insurance tally midway through the third period.
The Sockeyes return to action Thursday at 7 p.m. when the Grandview Steelers visit Minoru Arena. They also get an added unofficial home game before the Christmas break when the North Delta Devils "host" Richmond on Saturday at 6:15 p.m. at the Richmond Ice Centre's Forum rink.
