The Richmond Sockeyes have hit the win column and they didn't have to work an extra period to do it.
After opening the Pacific International Junior Hockey League regular season with three straight overtime games that didn't yield a win, the Sockeyes rode the 27-save performance of veteran goalie Kootenay Alder to a 3-0 road victory over the North Vancouver Wolf Pack on Saturday night.
Michael Scoble's goal with just two seconds remaining in the opening period was all the Sockeyes would need. Carson Rose and Ayden McDonald added insurance tallies 1:04 apart in the middle stanza.
Two nights earlier, Richmond played to its second tie of the season - this time drawing 4-4 on home ice against the North Delta Devils.
The hosts looked to be in full control thanks to three unanswered goals in the second period from Matthew Bissett, Daniel Tait and Scoble to open up a 4-2 advantage. However, the Devils pulled even in the third thanks to a pair of goals from Tristan Craighead, including the equalizer with just 1:13 remaining.
The Sockeyes outshot North Delta 48-22 on the night.
Richmond returns to action Thursday when the Port Moody Panthers visit Minoru Arena at 7 p.m. Icing... Former Sockeye and Richmond Minor product Braydon Low had a pair of assists as the Everett Silvertips opened the Western Hockey League regular season with an 8-3 win over Prince George on Saturday.
The 19-year-old centre had six points, including a pair of goals, in 43 games last season.
The Silvertips line-up also features former Seafair standout Tyler Sandhu who chipped in with a goal in the opener. The 17-year-old is coming off an impressive rookie campaign that saw him score 19 goals.
