The best current rivalry in the Pacific Junior Hockey League is now even more intriguing.
The Delta Ice Hawks have named Steve Robinson as head coach for the balance of the season. He will make his debut on Tuesday night against his former team when the Richmond Sockeyes visit the Ladner Leisure Centre at 7:35 p.m. with the inaugural Tunnel Cup on the line. Richmond currently holds a 2-1-0 lead in the season series.
“I’m excited to be working with this group and to try and finish off a superb regular season with a championship run in the playoffs. Of course it would be (Richmond) for the first game,” laughed Robinson.
Ironically, Robinson was relieved of his duties moments before the Sockeyes’ 6-5 overtime win over Delta back on Dec. 7. Richmond owned a 15-5-2 record at the time but team ownership had not been comfortable with him also guiding Seafair Minor Hockey’s top Bantam team that is currently ranked No. 1 in the province.
A short time later, Ice Hawks GM and head coach Darren Naylor took on the same roles with the B.C. Hockey League’s Nanaimo Clippers. The initial plan was for him to still guide both teams for the remainder of the season. However, Delta has not looked sharp in recent weeks despite having a league best 35-2-0-3 record.
A pair of overtime losses to North Vancouver and Grandview were warning signs, then Naylor was behind the bench for last Tuesday’s 3-1 win over an Abbotsford team that dressed just 12 skaters.
Two days later he was on the phone with Robinson asking him to step in as head coach.
“I truly believe that this is the best decision for the team right now,” said Naylor in prepared press release. “The team requires a full-time coach for the playoffs and it allows me to focus on my efforts with the Clippers.”
The club already considered Robinson as a leading candidate to take over Naylor’s role next season. There is also a deep level of respect between the two coaches and if anyone can understand juggling a couple of teams, it’s Naylor, who remains on as GM.
It shouldn’t take Robinson long to get comfortable in his new role. Recently added assistant coaches Quinten Wideski and Cam Cuthbert were two of his longest serving players during their days with Seafair Minor Hockey.
He is also familiar with current Richmond talent, including veterans Gary Dhaliwal and Daniel Rubin, while others he has coached in spring hockey. There are even some he was at one-time interested in seeing in Sockeyes’ colours before they signed with Delta. Now he has come to them.
Robinson says his immediate concern is trying to sharpen up an inconsistent power play that is clicking at just a 14 percent rate on home ice. Ultimately, it’s making sure this team is firing back on all cylinders again with the playoffs looming.
Icing…
The Sockeyes improved to 29-6-1 with a 4-3 win at Mission on Saturday night. Tyler Andrews’ goal 22 seconds into the third period proved to be the game winner. Richmond also rolled to a 7-1 win over Grandview on Thursday thanks to a lethal power play that connected on five of seven opportunities. Arjun Badh had four points, including a pair of goals.
Richmond also hosts Aldergrove on Thursday at 7 p.m.
