Richmond Sockeyes earned three of a possible four points at the Pacific Junior Hockey League Winter Classic but it’s the one that got away they will fret about the most.
The Sockeyes did the expected Sunday night and closed out the Winter Classic with a 4-1 win over the Langley Knights. The event featured all 10 PJHL teams playing two games over three days at Minoru Arenas.
The hosts opened play on New Year’s Day with a stinging 4-3 overtime loss to the Grandview Steelers.
Richmond looked poised to blow the Steelers out of the rink in the first period and close within a single point of second place in the Tom Shaw Conference. The Sockeyes opened a 3-0 lead and could have had a few more as Grandview was hit with six consecutive minor penalties. However, the locals failed to convert a lengthy two-man advantage and only came out of the frame with a 3-1 cushion.
Despite Richmond enjoying a 23-14 margin in shots on goal over the final 40 minutes, it was the Steelers who managed to pull even on a pair of second period goals. That set the stage for Brandon Volpe to complete the comeback at the 3:08 mark of overtime.
Grandview also defeated Delta 4-3 on Saturday to come away with four points from the weekend and extend their lead to four over the Sockeyes with a game in hand.
Michael Tilbury, Nicholas Wicks and captain Jordan Anders had the Richmond goals.
Two nights later, the Sockeyes handed Langley its 29th loss in 33 games, scoring twice in the third period to pull away. Wicks capped a productive weekend with two more goals and an assist to earn first star honours. Linemate Noah Wozney also scored. Connor Kavanagh had the other.
The Sockeyes return to action Thursday when Aldergrove visits Minoru at 7 p.m.
