The floodgates opened in a big way, resulting in a pair of lopsided wins for the Richmond Sockeyes last week.
With a line-up that features mostly 17-year-olds, especially at the forward position, the Sockeyes were averaging just over three goals per game heading into last Wednesday’s contest against the Aldergrove Kodiaks.
Trailing 2-1 after 40 minutes, the Sockeyes stunned the hosts with eight goals in the final period to produce a 9-3 victory.
Amazingly, seven of the goals came by the 10:48 mark. Jeven Sidhu completed the explosion just under four minutes later, capping one of the biggest single period outbursts in franchise history. Local product Alex McLeod led the charge with a pair to complete his hat trick. Also scoring were Arjun Badh, Evan Thomas, Noah Wozney, Ty Paterson and captain Jordan Andrews.
Justin Schwartz and Brett Gelz chipped in with two assists each. Veteran blueliner Trevor Lima returned to the line-up from a wrist injury that had him sidelined since early September and managed a pair of helpers.
The goals continued to come one night later at Minoru Arenas as the Sockeyes made short work of the 2-15 Langley Knights with a 7-1 victory.
Gelz topped all scorers with a three point outing, including a pair of goals. Connor Alderson added a goal and two assists. Nicholas Wicks, Wozney, McLeod and Thomas had the others.
Thanks to the productive outings, McLeod now sits eighth in league scoring, and his 12 goals is second only to Mission sniper Bryce Pisiak who is on a blistering pace with 26 in 20 games.
More importantly, the Sockeyes now sit at 9-5-1-2 and are just four points out of first place in the ever-so-tight Tom Shaw Conference that sees six points separate four teams. Richmond travels to North Vancouver tonight to take on the Wolf Pack and the two sides also square off Thursday at Minoru. Game time is 7 p.m.
